How to Plant and Grow Fruit Trees: Citrus, Stone Fruit, and More
Fruit trees can be an attractive addition to your landscape and provide nourishing food to save money on groceries. They also attract pollinators—like honeybees—which means having fruit trees in your garden lets you play an important role in the ecosystem.But, are fruit trees right for your property? If so, which types of trees are best suited for your yard?There are many factors to consider when deciding to plant any kind of tree. First, you need to think about what local farmers are growing—what kinds of trees are the experts doing well with in your area; these are the specimens that will probably grow well for you.Next, if you’re going to plant a fruit tree, you should select from those that are suitable for your growing zone. For example, The Arbor Day Foundation has developed a U.S. Hardiness Zone Map that shows which plants are most likely to thrive in a particular area.Additionally, to successfully grow a tree and enjoy all its fruits (and not have it become a burden or nightmare), you need to pick the right place for it. You should place trees away from your home so there’s enough room for their roots to grow to full size, and you must be mindful of where your trees will potentially drop their fruit.It’s possible and probable that, with the right plan, you can discover the deliciousness and delight of growing fruit trees. Here’s how to choose a tree and give it the best care so you can reap its benefits. Plan Ahead Go to your local garden center or nursery to see which trees are the best picks for your property. These stores usually only stock trees that will grow well in the local area. You can also check the USDA Hardiness Zone Map to ensure the tree you want is right for your climate. Most fruit trees—not citrus—require chill hours (the amount of time a tree spends before 45 degrees during winter to break dormancy and produce flowers).If you have a small garden, opt for a self-fruiting or self-fertile tree, which means it doesn’t need another tree variety for pollination. Ensure you choose a disease and pest-resistant tree, and always check a tree’s hangtag or ask the nursery to help you understand how much care you’ll need to provide to keep the tree flourishing. Select a Location Most trees do best in full sun (six to eight hours of sun each day). Sunlight is critical for fruit formation and development, and it ensures good tree health.Additionally, avoid planting trees under utility lines or new sewer lines; growing branches and roots have the potential to down power lines and puncture plumbing (ask your utility company to mark the location of lines on your property so you can plant far from these areas).Plant trees in well-draining soil. If you place them in dirt that’s always wet, you’ll increase the chance of disease. Small trees—like mandarin oranges or some key limes—may do well in raised beds; many homeowners have found great success with dwarf varieties of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit.Keep in mind that south-facing slopes and hilltops are typically warmer areas of a yard, which means planting there might give you more tree growth and crops could ripen earlier. However, since north-facing slopes are generally cooler, they’re the best location for early flowering trees that might flower prematurely on a south-facing slope. If you get freezing weather, low areas might offer the best protection for your tree. How to Plant You should plant fruit trees on the day you purchase them or have them delivered. To plant your tree, soak its bucket or roots in water for a few hours. Then,dig a hole that’s twice as wide and deep as the tree’s root ballplace the tree in the hole and spread out its roots (cut off any damaged roots)fill the hole with native soilbuild a trench around the tree to hold water (important for root establishment)let the tree get used to the surrounding soil (don’t add compost)supplement the soil with an organic fertilizer Staking Your Tree Staking provides stability for your tree while growing, in windy climates, and in areas where it might be hit. You should remove a tree’s stake when the plant is strong enough to stand on its own, or else the stake will damage the trunk and possibly ruin the entire tree. Caring For Your Tree Here are tips for caring for some of the most popular citrus trees.Orange – Water orange trees when the top two inches of the soil beneath it feels dry. Feed orange trees every second watering during spring and summer.Peach – Plant peach trees in sandy, well-drained, and acidic soil. Adding an organic mulch around the tree helps keep weeds away and maintain soil health.Lemon – Lemon trees thrive on well-drained soil, so if you have dense dirt, consider a raised bed for your tree instead. Fertilize in the spring and summer—once a month—to encourage fruit.Grapefruit – Grapefruit trees love well-drained, sandy, and loose soil and don’t do well in clay. Feeding your grapefruit tree a citrus-specific fertilizer and increase the amount as the tree ages.Avocado – Avocado trees need acidic, sandy, and well-drained soil to grow optimally. Water young trees frequently until they become established and then provide mature trees with about two inches of water per week.Key Lime – Only water key lime trees once or twice a week. Feed sparingly with a slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer that contains zinc, manganese, and iron.Pomelo – Pomelo trees do well in highly acidic or alkaline soil, as long as it’s well drained. You’ll only need to fertilize these trees three times a year, but you can sprinkle its soil with Epsom salt once a month to keep it healthy.Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through the process.The post How to Plant and Grow Fruit Trees: Citrus, Stone Fruit, and More appeared first on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life.
How to Choose a Moving Company
Choosing a moving company can be a challenge. It’s often difficult to know what you need and the questions to ask—and how to avoid falling victim to the schemes moving companies sometimes perpetrate on unsuspecting customers.There are a myriad of charges that come with moving a household—fees for supplies, labor, transportation, and other related items and activities. Many moving companies have unusual policies (like charging double travel time) that can be confusing or not adequately disclosed. So, how do you navigate all of this without losing precious time, money, or sanity? What’s the best way to understand exactly what your move requires and the services a moving company offers, and then choose a mover that best meets those needs?The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says that most moving company complaints stem from consumers being upset that the mover damaged items, arrived late, billed for unworked hours, or didn’t honor estimates (bait and switch).Your goal is to find a moving company that’s transparent in its offerings, does what it says it’ll do, and charges correctly when the job is done. If you can locate a company that does all of this—and hopefully goes above and beyond—you’ll find that gem that every homeowner hopes for.Moving is stressful. You don’t need to add more to your already-loaded plate by getting wrapped up with companies that provide unwanted problems instead of trustworthy service.Before you hire your next mover, take the time to read this guide on how to choose a moving company. Review the things you should look for in a mover. Go through our tips on choosing a reliable moving company and familiarize yourself with common scams to avoid. Get Referrals Ask friends, family, and neighbors who they’ve used to move their belongings. If you’re working with a real estate agent, get referrals for moving companies with an outstanding track record. Ask for Quotes Get quotes from at least three movers. Ask them if they charge by the hour or a flat rate (if a flat rate, how many hours of service do you get and what do they charge for overtime?)—and inquire about how many movers the company will assign to your job. Is there a fee for miles, gas, or travel time? What supplies does the mover provide (are there any mandatory charges for blankets, bubble wrap, moving dollies, etc.)? Do they need to see your belongings before giving a guaranteed quote? There are other price-based questions you can ask, depending on your specific scenario, but this should get you moving in the right direction. Look for Red Flags Most moving companies won’t charge a deposit before moving your items, so avoid those that do. A mover shouldn’t be anxious to get money from you. Movers who are vague and don’t want to answer questions should raise a huge red flag. Note the professionalism of all company representatives you talk to. Ask movers if they own or rent their van or truck (a reliable moving company will own a van or truck). Ensure the Mover is Licensed and Insured All licensed interstate moving companies must have a U.S. Dot number issued by The United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you’re moving out of state, you can verify the company’s license through the FMCSA’s website. You can also view the company’s DOT number on the FMCSA website. Are you moving within the state? Investigate any company you’re considering by looking up its business profile through your state’s local consumer affairs agency. Check the Better Business Bureau Research all potential moving companies by reviewing their BBB ratings and any complaints against the providers (don’t consider any companies that don’t have a BBB profile or rating). Ideally, the company you choose should have BBB accreditation. Inquire About Trade Association Accreditation Go to the moving company’s website and look for an approved seal or logo that distinguishes the mover as part of a related industry trade association or organization. Good movers will probably have the American Moving and Storage Association’s ProMover logo on their website or marketing materials. You can also look up moving companies on the American Moving and Storage Association’s website to see if they’re members in good standing. Verify the Company’s Address The moving company you choose should have a brick-and-mortar location and the mover’s address should be listed as business—either in search engine listings or moving company directories. Don’t consider any mover with an address that points to a residential property. More Tips for Choosing a Reliable Moving Company Don’t stop your investigation after moving through the guidelines above. Before signing a moving contract, do the following:Ask if the company will take an inventory of all your itemsGet a written estimateAvoid companies that recently changed their business nameInquire about extra fees for moving to or from properties with stairs or elevatorsEnsure there are no blank spaces on your moving contractBe wary of guaranteed quotes unless you get them in writingAsk about moving insurance How to Avoid Moving Scams The most common moving scams that you should be aware of include:Bait and switch—when a moving company switches the time or day of your move at the last minute and the move ends up costing you moreLate pickup or delivery—the mover arrives late, pushing you into a more expensive time slot (or they don’t deliver your items on time, sometimes taking longer than expected to get to your new location so they can charge you more)Exorbitant delivery charges and hold hostage—movers occasionally add additional costs to your total and won’t give you your items until you pay all the fees (or fight them)Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through the process.The post How to Choose a Moving Company appeared first on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life.
NAR Settlement: What Home Sellers Need to Know
As we navigate the ever-changing real estate landscape in 2024, home sellers are facing a new reality shaped by the recent National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settlement. If you're planning to list your home, it's crucial to understand how these changes might affect your selling strategy. Let's dive into what this means for you and how you can make the most of these new developments. Empowering Seller Choices The good news? You're still in the driver's seat when it comes to selling your home. The NAR settlement has introduced changes that actually expand your options and give you more control over the selling process. Here's what you need to know: Compensation Flexibility: You still have the freedom to offer compensation to buyer brokers. This can be a smart move to make your listing more attractive and broaden its appeal in the market. Transparent Disclosures: Your listing agent is now required to provide clear, written disclosures about any payments offered to buyer brokers. This increased transparency ensures you're fully informed and in control of your listing strategy. Advertising Alternatives: While Multiple Listing Services (MLS) can no longer display seller offers of compensation, your agent can still promote your listing through various channels like social media, flyers, and websites. Buyer Concessions: You retain the ability to offer buyer concessions on the MLS, such as assistance with closing costs, which can be an effective tool in negotiations. What Hasn't Changed Despite these new rules, some fundamental aspects of the home selling process remain the same: REALTOR® Expertise: REALTORS® continue to be valuable partners in navigating the complexities of home selling, bound by a strict Code of Ethics to act in your best interest. Negotiable Compensation: Your agent's compensation is still fully negotiable. Don't hesitate to discuss this openly with potential agents to find an arrangement that works for you. Informed Decision-Making: You have the power to make choices that best suit your needs. Your agent is there to provide information and guidance, but the final decisions are yours. Making the Most of the New Landscape To leverage these changes to your advantage: Communication is Key: Have open, detailed discussions with your agent about compensation strategies and how they align with your goals. Explore Marketing Options: Work with your agent to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that goes beyond the MLS, utilizing various platforms to showcase your property. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on local market trends and how other sellers are adapting to these changes. Consider Buyer Incentives: Think creatively about ways to make your listing stand out, such as offering attractive concessions or unique selling points. Navigating Selling Your Home As we adapt to this new era in real estate, remember that these changes are designed to benefit you as a seller. By staying informed and working closely with a knowledgeable REALTOR®, you can navigate these waters confidently and achieve your home selling goals. The real estate market is always evolving, and this settlement is just another step in that journey. Embrace the changes, leverage the new opportunities, and approach your home sale with confidence. Your dream transaction is still within reach – it might just look a little different than before.
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