Category Blogs I Follow

Thanks to the University of Maryland/Maryland Grows this informative article on tiny tomatoes.

Just a quick post this month to shout out the virtues of the first tomato plant to produce ripe fruit for me this year: ‘Veranda Red’ patio tomato.

This little cutie is only 18 inches high. In fact, it would be shorter if it was growing in full sun instead of the partial sun on my deck. I have other plants with green fruit ready to turn red that are less than a foot high. The container team at the Derwood Demo Garden has a plant only about six inches high that has ripe fruit.

Patio tomatoes as a group mature at less than two feet. They grow well in smaller containers like window boxes or gallon pots...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros with a guide to chimney inspections.

Every real estate agent wants to offer their buyers and sellers an excellent experience. One critical aspect of preparing a home that is often overlooked is the chimney inspection. A well-maintained chimney not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a property but also serves a practical heating purpose. What should you know about chimney inspections?

Why Are Chimney Inspections Important?

Chimneys play a critical role in venting smoke and gases coming from fireplaces. Over time, creosote buildup, blockages, structural damage, and wear and tear can stop any chimney from working properly and safely. Unfortunately, most of these problems can’t be seen by the untrained eye.

Regular ...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros on ”beat the heat” ideas.

I regularly hear people tell me about “Snow Day” projects that are waiting for them when they’re stranded at home. Now that it’s topping 100° in the coming days, this is a GREAT time to do some in-home projects that involve letting go of accumulated ‘stuff.’ I would NOT venture into the attic right now. However, I would venture into the basement and closets and drawers throughout your home.

After speaking to a group at the Myerberg Senior Center, I found myself suddenly motivated to tackle my accumulation of stuff. I tore apart my closet and found the willingness to get rid of a lot of sweaters (it’s always easier to get rid of sweaters in the heat, I find)...

Thanks to L.K. Benson for sharing with us.

Tuning into Life: Reflections from an Ed Sheeran Concert Experience

Lyle is a planner by nature so he doesn’t usually make spontaneous decisions. However, he recently did just that to go to a last-minute Ed Sheeran concert in Brooklyn and he is glad he did. He learned a few things from the experience and he shares them here.

Global Diversification Has Disappointed. Don’t Give Up on It.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before – US stocks continue to outperform international stocks but that’s not a reason to give up on them. In this Bloomberg article, Nir Kaissar looks back through history to make another case for global diversification...

Thanks to the University of Maryland/Maryland Grows this informative article on how mulch volcanoes kill trees.

I’ve been a bit twitchy lately. I keep seeing mulch piled high around trees and it makes me more than a little baffling. Those mulch volcanoes are so very bad for trees. 

Why? They hold moisture against the bark, inviting rot, pests, rodents, and disease.

With mulch, less is more. One to three inches is all you need. 

Done right, mulch can be a good thing. It suppresses weeds, holds moisture, prevents soil compaction, moderates temperature, and improves soil structure when it breaks down.  

Mulch can be att...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about gutter maintenance.

Many homeowners think about cleaning the gutters in the fall when leaves have accumulated. Also, people clean gutters in the spring when rain is falling. Unfortunately, your gutters need care all year long, not just when rain or leaves are falling! To take the best care of your gutters, you should regularly maintain them by working with a professional gutter cleaning and maintenance company like Clean Sweep. How can you care for your gutters all year long?

Spring Gutter Maintenance

Spring is the perfect time to give your gutters a thorough inspection after the winter months. Remove any debris that may have accumulated in the gutters and downspouts over the winter...

Owning a home is more than just a place to live; it’s a powerful tool for building wealth and securing a brighter future. The American Dream has long been associated with homeownership, and for good reason. Here is some handy information on why owning a home matters and how to build generational wealth for your children.

The Wealth-Building Power of Homeownership

Net Worth Comparison

Did you know that the average homeowner has 40 times the net worth of renters? It’s true! Homeownership provides a unique opportunity to accumulate wealth over time. As property values appreciate, equity grows, and homeowners benefit from both shelter and financial stability.

The Equity Advantage

Equity is the difference between your home’s value and the outstanding mortgage balance...

Thanks to the University of Maryland/Maryland Grows this informative article on how to manage Japanese beetles.

Q:  Japanese beetles have been ravaging my yard for a few summers now. I heard Milky Spore can be a natural way to treat them. Is that right?

A:  Japanese beetle grubs feed underground on plant roots (often in lawns). The adults feed on foliage and flower petals on perennials, shrubs, and trees. It’s possible only one of those two life stages will pose a problem for a gardener while the other does not. You won’t necessarily have to tackle both. In fact, a lot of lawn grub treatments are unnecessary...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about the importance of regular chimney inspections.

Spring is here, which means that many homeowners won’t be lighting a fire again for many months. However, you should still schedule a chimney inspection to make sure that everything is good to go for the fall. How can regular chimney inspections help to improve fireplace efficiency at your home?

Ensure Proper Airflow

Regular chimney inspections are key to ensuring the efficient operation of your fireplace. Over time, creosote, a byproduct of burning wood in your fireplace, can accumulate in the chimney. This buildup not only poses a fire hazard but also prevents proper airflow, which decreases the efficiency of your fireplace...

Thanks to L. K. Benson for sharing with us.

Investment Markets

Investment markets started the year much the same way they ended 2023. US Large-Cap Stocks led the way again with a 10.6% return in the quarter. Eeveloped market international stocks and US Small-Cap stocks were not far behind at 5.8% and 5.2%, respectively. Those three asset classes posted the strongest returns in 2023 as well. Growth stocks continued to outperform Value stocks, though the margin narrowed from last year. Volatility remained quite low in the markets, with the Volatility Index (VIX) at the lowest level since 2017. The S&P 500 made 22 all-time highs in the first quarter after not making any new all-time highs in 2023.

When markets start hitting all-time highs, many investors worry that they should get o...