It's Time to Get Ready for Fall

Delta Media Group

Fall is the perfect time of the year to do seasonal maintenance to keep your home running smoothly. Checking these items off your must-do list now will save you money and frustration later.

1. Seal the leaks.
   Check around windows and doors for cracks that leak air. According to the U.S. Department of Energy Research, leaks can increase your heating bill by up to 10 percent. Seal the leaks with caulk or weather stripping as needed.
   
   
2. Schedule heating equipment inspections.
   Call an HVAC professional to give your furnace an annual cleaning and tune-up. Doing this can increase the efficiency and safety of your furnace.
   
   
3. Test the generator.
   Instead of waiting for the winter's first power outage, take your emergency generator for a test run now. Make sure you have extra fuel stored away.
   
   
4. Inspect your home's exterior.
   A damaged exterior lets in water and pests. Check your siding for cracks, curling, dents, looseness, bowing, and decay. Make sure your masonry veneer isn't cracking or flaking, and your stucco is free from cracks.
   
   
5. Clean the gutters.
   Although it's among the most common home maintenance tips, this one has greater benefits than you might imagine. Blocked gutters can cause leaks on your roof and in your basement as well as damage your exterior. Scoop leaves, dirt, and other debris from the gutters then spray them clean. As you clean, check for leaks and rust. Make sure your downspouts are directed away from your home.
   
   
6. Check your roof.
   Damage to your roof puts your home at risk for leaks. Use binoculars or climb onto the roof to inspect for missing, damaged, curled, or loose shingles. Look the ridge shingles over for wind damage. The metal flashing in the roof valleys and around protrusions such as vents should be free from curling and damage.
   
   
7. Inspect your walkways.
   Damaged driveways, sidewalks, and steps worsen when exposed to freezing temperatures and pose a hazard in icy conditions. Repair cracks wider than 1/8th inch, smooth uneven areas, and tighten loose railings.
   
   
8. Prevent frozen pipes.
   Adding insulation to pipes in unheated areas is one of those simple home maintenance tips that can save you a lot of trouble and expense. Outdoors, put your garden hoses in storage and, if your outdoor faucets aren't frost-free, turn off your outdoor water supply and drain the faucets. Drain your irrigation system to prevent burst pipes and damaged sprinkler heads.
   
   
9. Measure your foundation drainage.
   The ground around your foundation should slope away from your home at an angle of 6 inches down over 10 feet. This protects your foundation from water damage.
   
   
10. Get the lawn and garden ready.
    If you spot any tree limbs that could fall or hit power lines during a windstorm, cut them back. Also, trim shrubbery and perennials as recommended for the species. Rake up leaves and either compost them or use them as mulch. Alternatively, check if your city offers a removal service.

Our real estate agents are always excited to welcome spring back to the Spokane area. This season offers a chance to reconnect with nature and to be reminded of all the amazing green spaces our city has to offer. 

This spring, we recommend taking that appreciation a step further by exploring some of Spokane's most amazing gardens. With spring flowers blooming, there's no better time to experience these spectacular Spokane gardens. 

• Lilac Garden - W Shoshone Pl, Spokane, WA 99203
  Spokane has been nicknamed the Lilac City, and it's not hard to see why. The Lilac Garden in Manito Park contains over 100 cultivars from at least 23 unique species of lilac trees and bushes. The best time to see them in full bloom is from late May into early June, and the annual Lilac Festival has been a fixture of Spokane's spring calendar since the 1930s. 

• Duncan Garden - S Park Dr, Spokane, WA 99203
  One of several gardens that are located with the city's beautiful 90-acre Manito Park, Duncan Garden is unique among Spokane's public gardens. It's a classic Renaissance garden with three acres of manicured lawns adorned with sculpted shrubs and vast beds of flowering annuals. This garden is best explored at a slow pace from spring into early summer. Duncan Garden is also a popular wedding venue, located just minutes from these Spokane homes for sale.
  
  
• Rose Hill Garden - Rose Garden Path, Spokane, WA 99203
  Often ranked among the best rose gardens in the nation, Rose Hill Garden is another splendid component of Manito Park. The rose garden was established in 1938 and has grown to include more than 150 rose varieties in a dazzling spectrum of colors. Rose Hill Garden is a great picnic spot and features a collection of old-fashioned roses and miniature roses along with grandiflora, floribunda, and hybrid tea roses.
  
  
• Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden - 2025 S Bernard St, Spokane, WA 99203
  There may be no better place in Spokane to feel the balance, tranquility, and beauty of nature come together. Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden was built between 1970 and 1974 to symbolize the friendship between Spokane and its sister city, Nishinomiya, Japan. Two Japanese architects, Shosuke Nagai and Hirohiko Kawai designed and oversaw the construction of the garden, which remains a magnificent symbol of peace and harmony. 
  
  
• Gaiser Conservatory - 4 W 21st Ave, Spokane, WA 99203
  Located in Gaiser Park just east of Rose Hill, the Gaiser Conservatory features a series of greenhouses in which plants from temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical regions from around the world are grown. The greenhouses are open every day of the week except Wednesdays, and visitors can experience a wide range of different plants in bloom, depending on the season. The Geiser Conservatory also hosts a brilliant holiday lights display every winter.
  
  
• Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens - 525 W 7th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204
  The Victorian-influenced design of Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens is unique in Spokane. These gardens, which span an incredible 120 acres, were originally constructed between 1889 and 1932 under the supervision of Frank Rockwood Moore on the grounds of what was then his own private home. Later purchased by the city and opened to the public, this historic property includes a pond, tea house, rose garden, and perennial garden. Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Contact us today to learn more about life in Spokane. When you're ready to start looking for your dream home in Spokane and the surrounding areas, our real estate agents are here to help every step of the way. 

The Green Bluff area is known for its beautiful scenery and fertile soil, which allows local farmers to grow a wide variety of delicious, high-quality produce throughout the year. Many of the best local farms and fruit stands are part of the Green Bluff Growers' Association, a local organization dedicated to sharing all that local farms have to offer. And it's not just about great food! They also host many fun, family-friendly activities available at local farms throughout the year. Coldwell Banker Tomlinson has all the details on the fun you can expect at local farms, in our Green Bluff Growers Spotlight.

• Get to Know Green Bluff and the Growers
  Green Bluff is a scenic community located just 15 minutes north of Spokane homes for sale, in the beautiful foothills of Mt. Spokane. The fertile land of Green Bluff has long been a major attraction for farmers, and a large number of those farmers formed the Green Bluff Growers' Association in 1902. For more than 100 years, the Green Bluff Growers have offered fresh, delicious produce to the community, and the many visitors who come to experience these wonderful farms.
  
  
• Family Fun on the Farm in the Spring and Summer
  While there is much to experience all year long, spring and summer are especially good times to experience some fun on the farm. Start by sampling fresh strawberries, which are typically available to be harvested from the middle of June through early July. Next up is the famous Cherry Pickers Trot during the cherry season in July, when you can go for a run/stroll through local orchards and find fun family activities on the farms.
  
  Summer wraps up with peach season in August, the perfect time to find out why Green Bluff peaches are so well-known for their quality. Stop by a local farm to find juicy, ripe peaches prepared in nearly any way you can imagine, from traditional peach cobbler to peach ice cream that's as fresh as it gets.
  
  
• Fun in the Fall with the Apple Festival and Holiday Memories Celebrations
  The fun continues in the fall, with the Apple Festival kicking off at the end of September. During the Apple Festival, many local farms offer both apple and pumpkin picking, which are both fun activities for families with kids. Some farms even take things to the next level with live music, corn mazes, and plenty more activities for families to enjoy. The year wraps up with Holiday Memories celebrations during November and December. Visit a local farm to cut your own tree for the holidays, have your kids take pictures with Santa, then sample some outstanding, holiday-themed food and drink.
  
  
• Shop at Green Bluff Produce Stands or Pick Your Own on the Farms
  When you're in the mood for fresh produce, the Green Bluff Growers offer a variety of ways to find what you seek. Many local produce stands are also part of the Green Bluff Growers, making it easy to quickly pick up fresh produce for your next culinary creation. If you enjoy picking your produce almost as much as you enjoy eating it, then try a visit to one of the many Green Bluff farms that offer pick your own produce.

Have you been searching for a home that makes it easy to enjoy all of the family fun and fresh produce around Green Bluff?  Reach out for assistance in buying and selling homes throughout the Spokane, WA area.

Planting the right flowers in your yard can truly give your landscaping a boost! That's just one of the great reasons to participate in National Plant a Flower Day on Friday, March 12. Our real estate agents share some helpful information about planting a garden in Spokane to get you started. 

Get in the "Zone"

To help gardeners determine what plants are suitable for their geographic area, the USDA developed their Hardiness Zones. There are 10 zones total throughout North America, each differing by plus or minus 10°F from adjacent zones. 

As the base of the scale, Zone 1 has the coolest weather patterns, which become increasingly warmer as numbers get higher. Spokane is in Zone 6, defined as average winter lows of -10°F. Optimal growth season generally extends from mid-March to late fall. 

What to Plant in Spokane

Fortunately, Zone 6 conditions support a relatively wide assortment of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Here's a look at some of the top plants that thrive around Spokane.

• Rhododendron is the state flower of Washington, which by itself is reason enough for this colorful flower to be a popular choice. The plant is also deer-resistant, which is an important factor in the abundance of wildlife in the Pacific Northwest.
  
  
• Summer in Eastern Washington tends to be hot and dry. Yarrow, English lavender, and black-eyed Susan are drought-resistant plants that grow well in areas with less moisture. As a bonus, these flowers are generally easy to grow and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
  
  
• Rock gardens are low-maintenance, natural-looking, and durable enough to withstand extreme weather conditions. They can also boost your home's value by hiding problem areas in the yard. Calamint, yellow sundrops, coral bells, bitterroot, and sunrose are good inclusions in a Spokane rock garden.
  
  
• Ground cover can play a valuable role in your overall landscaping by reducing lawn maintenance, which is expensive and often hard on the environment. Consider choices such as creeping thyme, creeping phlox, silver-edged horehound, and creeping Oregon grape, which are visually attractive and grow quickly.
  
  
• While they require a bit more TLC than flowers, experts from Washington State University say many vegetables grow well in Spokane because the soil pH tends to be neutral, meaning it's neither acidic nor basic. For early planting, they recommend starting cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons indoors. Asparagus, onions, and root vegetables can be planted directly outdoors.

Top Nurseries in Spokane

Head to these nurseries near Spokane homes for sale for seeds, starter plants, supplies, and advice.

• Blue Moon Garden & Nursery - 1732 S. Inland Empire Way, Spokane, WA 99224
  Their motto is, "Nice plants, nice people," and you'll find both at Blue Moon Garden & Nursery. The business dates back to the 1920s when it was known as Nissen Greenhouses, and it's evolved to the state-of-the-art facility you'll find today. Blue Moon loves dogs, so bring Fido along when you visit. Hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, March 20 until October 31.
  
  
• Ritters Garden & Gift - 10120 N. Division St., Spokane, WA 99218
  Family-owned Ritters Garden & Gift began as a floral shop and expanded to become a full-service gardening and landscaping resource. By the way, if you bring your own kids along, be forewarned: Ritters has a colorful and irresistible candy emporium. Ritters is open 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Ready to put down roots in Spokane? Contact us at Coldwell Banker Tomlinson for dedicated help with all your real estate needs.

By the time we get to the dark days of midwinter, gardeners all over Washington are itching to get outside and get their hands back in the soil. We understand the struggle. 

Luckily, this is the time of year when you can start taking the first steps toward planting your spring vegetable garden. Our real estate agents are delighted to share these tips for starting your spring garden indoors!

1. Pick out Your Seeds
   Starting from seed gives you complete control over your garden and the ability to select from a wider range of varieties. Plus, you get to start earlier, which gives you something to do in the late days of winter! You can order seeds online or stop at your local greenhouse. 
   
   
2. Know Your Zone
   USDA Hardiness Zones can be extremely helpful in determining what plants are ideal for your climate and when each type of plant should be started in your specific region. Here in Spokane, WA, we're in zone 6. 
   
   
3. Which Plants to Start Indoors
   Some vegetables transplant better than others. It's important to plan and know which seeds should be started indoors and which should be sowed directly into your garden when the time is right. Vegetables that transplant especially well include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, kale, lettuce, onion, okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. Certain other vegetables, including celery, cucumbers, melons, peas, spinach, and squash, can also be started indoors but must be transplanted very carefully. A few vegetables should never be transplanted because doing so often damages the roots. They include beans, beets, carrots, and corn. These crops should be planted directly in your garden after all danger of frost has passed. 
   
   
4. Location, Location, Location
   If you're planning to start seeds indoors, you'll need a suitable location in which to do so. The best way to grow seedlings indoors is with a grow light, which provides constant light from directly above your seeds. But you can certainly get by without a grow light. Choose a spot in your house where a large window provides abundant light. South-facing windows are ideal. Make sure your seedlings don't get too cold—a consistent temperature between 65°F and 75°F is just right—and give your seedlings a quarter-turn every day to keep them from reaching toward the light and developing long, spindly stems. 
   
   
5. Know When to Begin
   Most seeds should be planted indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the date of the last spring frost, though exact timing varies. Here in the Spokane area, the prime time to plant seeds indoors is during the first two weeks of March. Between March 1st and March 15th, plant seeds indoors for broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, and tomatoes. Wait until around the beginning of April to start seeds for cucumbers, melons, and squash. By mid-April, you should be able to transplant your seedlings from early March into your garden. Around this same time, you can plant seeds like carrots, beans, beets, and corn directly in your garden.
   
   
6. Keep Your Seed Packets
   When in doubt, refer to your seed packets! They typically have detailed information on how and when the seeds should be planted, so make sure you keep them in case you need a little reminder.

Contact us today to learn more about life in the Spokane area. We live in a great area for gardening, and our team is standing by to help you search Spokane homes for sale.