Spring is here – time to spruce up the garden! The danger of frost is almost past in New Hampshire, so it’s time to break out the rototillers and mulches and to start weeding and feeding. A great-looking garden will not only bring you countless hours of pleasure, it will also heighten the “curb appeal” of your home.
Chakarian Farm Greenhouses has been operating in Derry for 20 years. They offer a unique selection of annuals, perennials, herbs, and vegetable plants from the twelve greenhouses on the property. They also have hanging plants, shrubs, trees, and gardening essentials, including organic products, for sale. Many of their plants are highlighted in their attractive display garden that features waterfalls and a koi pond. Landscape design and planting services are also available. Open 7 days a week. Their website offers links to their suppliers, UNH Extension Services, and other gardening information.
Website: chakarianfarmgreenhouses.com
Address: 114 Island Pond Road, Derry
Phone: (603) 432-9103.
Faulkner’s Landscape and Nursery has furnished plants to some of the best gardens in the greater Manchester region for over fifteen years. It is open seven days a week during the busy season. Faulkner‘s website is filled with photos of landscaping ideas, the flowering plants they offer, and even ”What’s in Bloom” now. The site also contains a catalog of all the plants they offer, a gardening tip page, and links to gardening websites. The company’s awareness of environmental factors is shown by their inclusion of a list of plants that they choose not to sell because of their invasive tendencies. Their extensive landscaping services are also highlighted.
Continue reading “Southern New Hampshire Garden Centers: Part 3” »
Buyers seem to be attracted to smaller homes these days. It may be a result of the financial climate causing a conservative approach to buying homes, or people no longer want to live in “Mcmansions”. Either way, the new construction industry has been focused on smaller more efficient homes with more amenities. It all makes sense in order to maintain an affordable lifestyle in an ever changing real estate marketplace, and people want newer homes at a reasonable price. Cozy is in!
How space is saved
A smaller home can offer a more efficient use of space and can be built on smaller lots. Because lot costs are typically 25-30% of a house cost, the need to purchase less expensive lots to offer more affordable homes to buyers is key. People are looking at a reduction in spaces that they seldom use. Homes are being designed with fewer hallways as it can be considered wasted space, more flex space areas that offer versatility in their use such as a room could be a bedroom, study or in home office. Living rooms are almost obsolete in homes as they are rarely used and buyers will sacrifice a formal dining area for a larger kitchen/dining area for entertaining. Putting more energy in the design and layout is important and planning ahead such as a great outdoor space can become an outside room for entertaining.
Continue reading “Current Trend — Less is More and Bigger is not Better” »
By Guest on May 10, 2012 |
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The only real estate process that is more confusing than buying your first home is selling it. Making the decision to sell a house, even if it is heart wrenching, is a piece of cake compared to the myriad other details and decisions that will compete for your attention. Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions about home selling and get some answers.
How Much is My House Worth?
Your house is worth “fair market value,” or, exactly what the current market thinks it’s worth. Determining fair market value involves comparing your house to similar homes that have sold nearby over the last three to six months. While it’s not rocket science, the determination of value, and listing price, is best left to a real estate agent. Most real estate agents offer what is known as a comparative market analysis (CMA) free of charge. Even if you plan to sell the house without an agent, avail yourself of this free service so you know exactly how to price the house.
Should I Sell My House Myself?
To save money on real estate agent commissions, many homeowners attempt the for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) process. Many succeed. Others fail. In their studies of FSBOs, The National Association of Realtors® has found that the most difficult tasks faced by these homeowners include:
Enjoy an afternoon with nature at Deer Leap in Windham, NH
Deer Leap is an easy walk or hike of about a mile. Take a few minutes away from your busy schedule and enjoy nature. The trail is tree lined so it is shaded most of the way. It would be advisable to have insect protection. It makes a great no cost trip for an afternoon. The trail is easy and even smaller children can walk along if you take your time. It may not be suitable for strollers with smaller wheels. The view at the end of the trail reminded me of a valley similar to ones I saw in Alaska but on a much smaller scale.
Directions Rt. 93 to exit 3 in Windham go east to the Mobil Station turn onto route 111a follow it 1.8 miles to Marblehead Rd turn left follow to sharp bend in road. After the bend look for a small “Deer Leap” sign on the right. Follow the dirt rd several hundred feet to the small parking area on the left.
Imagine having 325 acres as your backyard and enjoying trails for four season activities with no additional tax burden for the land use! In Nashua, Mine Falls Park is a gem for those who have discovered its natural beauty with forest, wetlands and open fields to enjoy walking, boating, fishing, cross country skiing or biking. To explore more, visit http://merrimack.wildnh.com/minefallspark/ and for a trail map, you can access http://tinyurl.com/62ydr28.
Since the late 1960’s, plans began in order to capitalize on this space which is bordered by the Nashua River and the old Millpond canal system. In the 1980’s and 90’s, parts of Nashua were determined as historical sites and placed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the park trails were designated as part of the New Hampshire Heritage Trail system which extends along the Merrimack River from Canada to Massachusetts. Where can you find an urban environment with a natural feel at your doorstep? Nashua has been recognized twice as Money Magazine’s Best City in which to live and with beautiful public spaces like this, it is not a surprise.
A community which is a short walk away to Mine Falls pristine setting is at exit 5 is The Village at Mine Falls is which is a new community of detached condominium homes . Offering homes with first floor master suites, sunrooms and quality features that are considered upgrades elsewhere, this small enclave of 40 homes is located on a cul de sac with low monthly fees. With the park so close to home, you will have easy living and a carefree active lifestyle. Sales information is available through www.villageminefalls.com.
So if you want to explore what Nashua has to offer and drive a short distance, come and experience Mine Falls Park!
Why does a new construction home cost more than a previously owned home? Is it because the builders are cleaning up and making extra money? Not really! Over the past years, permits are down and some builders have even left the building business. Let’s take a look at what costs go into a house and see where it all goes.
First things first, a key component to the selling price can be driven by how much it cost the builder to buy the land, but other factors such as building materials and amenities also play a role.
When a builder purchase a piece of land, it is just the beginning and costs will be affected by the siting of the house; engineering needs; utilities and their location; tree removal; distance from the road and length of driveway; excavation costs and potential blasting; well or septic installation and considerations; dumpsters and portable toilets are just some considerations from the land perspective. The local township will dictate the cost of any permitting as well as any additional taxes or impact fees and in some communities, these costs can add up tremendously and many times are upfront costs when obtaining the permit and can be up to $10,000 or more!
Continue reading “How Much Does it Cost to Build a New Home?” »
There are many small aspects of the home that we become “blind” to in the process of our day to day existence. Some of these we walk by every day, such as a worn or dirty entry door, but we don’t really see it! Here are some low cost methods you can use to get ready for buyers that are quick and easy.
- Replace tired doormats and freshen up the door exterior with a coat of paint and a seasonal wreath and wash away prints and scuffs around the door.
- Check your exterior lights to make sure they are tidy, with clean glass and bulbs that are working.
- Put away garbage cans and recycle bins and neatly store garden tools.
- Be sure the kids put aways toys and clothes in their rooms and play areas.
- Trim bushes away from the home and keep grass, driveways and walks neat and clean.
- Replace heavy drapes with sheers to let the light into your home.
- Put away paperwork that “lives” on the counters and kitchen tables; replace with fresh fruit or flowers!
- Remove clutter from tops of refrigerators, bedroom bureaus and bath counters.
- Buy new hand towels for the baths and kitchens and keep drab old towels out of sight.
- Keep animal areas clean and unnoticeable to the nose and remove or secure pets.
Most of the garden centers featured below specialize in the unique or the unusual or have extensive collections not found elsewhere. All were featured in a great garden guide that was published a few years ago, The Adventurous Gardener: Where to buy the best plants in New England by Ruah Donnelly. Ms. Donnelly described her guide as one that would help people “…find good regionally grown plants…” Many of the nurseries and garden stores she included seek to make available unique or unusual plants not commonly found in chain stores.
Delahunty’s Nurseries & Florist in Windham has over 10 acres of plants to meet your gardening needs. They provide an extensive selection of annuals and perennials, roses, and shrubs. They are noted for their mature shrubs and trees – which range up to 18 feet tall for those special landscaping projects. If they don’t have what you want, let them know, and they will order it for you from one of their growers. Delahunty’s also has a full service florist shop. Their website has informative sections on watering and gardening.
Lake Street Garden Center in Salem is a family-run retail garden center, open year round, that has everything a gardener might desire. They have a large variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, and aquatic plants. In addition, they carry house plants, bonsais, holiday plants, pots, garden accents, fertilizers, water garden supplies, etc. Many of the staff have degrees in horticulture. They sponsor several gardening classes each month and support the Salem Farmer’s Market.
Continue reading “Southern New Hampshire Garden Centers: Part 2” »
By Steve Russo on Apr 30, 2012 |
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Spring is here, and it’s time to spruce up the garden! Whether you’ve just bought your first home or have been living in your residence for years, when spring rolls around, it’s time to visit the garden center. We are fortunate in southern New Hampshire to have many excellent companies from which to choose from!
The garden centers listed below carry a wide-range of plants and plant products for your home. Some specialize in outdoor plants, but many carry house plants also; some even offer everything for your herb, vegetable, or water garden. All are staffed by friendly and helpful employees, many with horticultural degrees and/or master gardener certifications.
The Amherst Garden Center on Route 101 in Amherst is stocked with perennials, trees, and shrubs for spring planting. Annuals will be making their appearance later. Winner of the New Hampshire Magazine’s “Best of New Hampshire” award for best garden center (in 2009), the family-owned store features larger plants, with the idea that a larger plant with a larger root system will thrive better. In addition to an extensive selection of plants for outdoor planting, this family owned and operated center also has indoor plants, cut flowers, and a gift shop. This year they will be expanding their hydroponic garden area which they are developing with the Amherst Garden Club. It will feature hydroponically grown tomatoes and herbs and hydroponic systems for the home gardener.
Continue reading “Southern New Hampshire Garden Centers: Part 1” »
By Admin on Apr 28, 2012 |
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Guest post by Aisha Mitchell of Amherstrec.org
Join us at the Peabody Mill Environmental Center for our “Open House for Educators”. We’ll give you a sampling of the educational program offerings we can deliver to your classroom or to your students here at the environmental center.
Our staff of environmental educators provides programs for students grades pre-K to high school. Lessons are offered in all of the sciences and meet the NH Framework for Science Literacy.
Open House for Educators
Date: Saturday, 5/12
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Peabody Mill Environmental Center (PMEC)
Fee: Free
More info and registration is available at www.amherstrec.org, 603-673-6248 or 603-673-1141.
