(ARA) - Taking care of the yard can be good exercise, but it can also cause uncomfortable pains and strains.

A 2006 national consumer study reveals that mowing the lawn can result in a variety of physical ailments, many of which can be avoided, according to industry experts.

Several years ago my friends, Pat and Danielle, were on a television program called “Rally Round the House.” They were part of the crew that surprised some friends of ours, Dino and Melissa, with a brand new backyard. Sabine and I TiVo’ed the program and have watched it several times. One of the projects that caught my eye in the program was a living fence and I always said that I would like to do that at my house.

By Gary L. Wade
University of Georgia

Most landscapes today are overplanted. With too many plants for the given area, each plant is less healthy, requires more maintenance and just doesn’t look as good as it should.

Among the most common wildlife complaints by suburban homeowners is the destruction of plants and gardens caused by white-tailed deer, reports The Humane Society of the United States. “The frustration often leads to unnecessary battles between deer and humans that would not exist at all if people were proactive and followed a few simple steps when landscaping,” says Laura Simon, deer expert and field director of The HSUS Urban Wildlife Program.

Short days and long nights lend themselves to dreaming of spring, triggering an itch to get out of the house and into the garden. But while you are fighting a full-blown case of cabin fever, plant explorers and outdoor décor vendors are turning up a whole slew of new green goods that will arrive just in time to help you scratch that gardening itch.

Spring is here, summer is just around the corner, and everything is coming up roses. Roses and grass and weeds, that is. Once the warm Georgia sun hits the earth, it seems like lawn care is a never-ending job. Many homeowners find themselves discouraged after putting countless time and money into their lawn, only to find it running wild a few weeks later.

For those who dread yard work or for the serious garden enthusiast make sure to attend the new Spring Yard & Garden Show on Saturday, April 15 from 10 am to 6 pm at Shakerag Knoll on McIntosh Trail. Admission is free.

“Oh no!,”.... were the first words out of my mom’s mouth when we started to work in her yard last week. Rushing over, I saw the winged creatures scurrying around, desperately trying to escape from the large human who had overturned the rock and disturbed their insectuous abode. Looking back at my mom’s shocked expression; I was perplexed as to why a few winged ants could have upset her so. My perplexity turned to understanding when she exclaimed “Quickly Nick, get the spray. We have termites!”

The long winter months give you plenty of time puttering around the house to notice what needs to be fixed come spring. Since some fix-ups have to wait for warmer weather, now is the time to make sure your toolbox is stocked with supplies and your tools are in good repair and ready to be put to use. Taking inventory now means you won't have to waste time running to the hardware store in the middle of a project.

Patricia Collins, Director of Education for Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, will be the guest speaker at the Coweta County’s Master Gardener Backyard Association meeting on Tuesday, April 11. Learn all the secrets to creating a successful butterfly habitat which includes providing desirable plants for all the stages of the butterfly’s development: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult.

It has been a month since I wrote my last column about my lawn and garden.

Sorry to say not much has been physically accomplished in that time.

There is such a thing as a free bunch – of flowers, trees and shrubs – thanks to a one-of-a-kind program that benefits gardeners, sheltered workshops and the environment.

Before you even plant a new pecan tree, you may have already decided its success, says a University of Georgia scientist.

Spring has arrived and homeowners are eager to spend time outdoors getting their yards in shape for the season. What many homeowners may not know, cautions The Humane Society of the United States, is that it is also the peak of baby season for many wild animals - from rabbits and squirrels, to birds and raccoons.

None of us like to think about growing older. For a while we might deny it, as we turn 29 on every birthday. Others buy fancy sports cars to make them feel young again. But eventually, something happens, an accident or an illness, and we are forced to recognize that we are aging.

Creepy, hungry things grow in Charles Lamb’s house. Sticky, hairy plants with pouches and traps lure flies, gnats and spiders to their demise. Bog-loving plants in aquariums also have an appetite for insects.

The 28th annual Atlanta Home Show will take place March 23-26 at the Georgia World Congress Center. This year’s show boasts numerous attractions in addition to the thousands of products and idea for homebuilding, remodeling or doing-it-yourself.

When we first bought our house, I wrote a column about tackling yard work on one of the hottest days of the year. I was an impetuous young man who wanted to make my home and its landscape a paradise. Unfortunately, at that time, we had one push mower to handle well over an acre of land. That parcel isn’t flat either. There is a steep slope that leads down to the neighbor’s yard and driveway and a gradual decline that leads towards the wooded area in the back. One circuit up and down was enough to put a burn in my legs and lungs.

Gardening is North America's most popular leisure time activity and all gardeners are always on the look out for resources that can help them grow with their hobby. Whether an aspiring or veteran green thumb, The 2006 Old Farmer's Almanac All-Seasons Garden Guide offers time-tested and useful advice in an inspiring, full-color design with stunning photographs and easy-to-do ideas.

For those who dread yard work or for the serious garden enthusiast make sure to attend the new Spring Yard and Garden Show on Saturday, Apr. 15 from 10 am to 6 pm at Shakerag Knoll on McIntosh Trail. Admission is free.

Make sure that the job will be well done

When you hire a contractor to work on your house, there are a few things you want to be sure of. Do they do quality work? Can you trust them in you home? Bottom line is, are they good people?

It all started when a friend of Wayne Rogers, owner of the first Decks @ Best franchise south and west of Atlanta and a long-time resident of Newnan, moved to the south side of Atlanta and wanted a deck and boat dock done and the Alpharetta-based company did not travel to Newnan. After working for 30 years as plant manager, he decided to change professions and wanted to work outside for a change.

Business owners specializing in yard and garden products or services can showcase their items at the first ever Spring Yard and Garden Show, Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Shakerag Knoll on McIntosh Trail in Peachtree City.

How to get that mouse out of the house

By Stacy Downs
Knight Ridder Newspapers

No, that’s not Jack Frost nipping on the wires in the basement. It’s the time of year when furry critters sneak inside homes. They’re seeking food, water and shelter from the cold.

Help get your pictures in just the right place

By Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Excessive household noise isn’t music to the ears of homeowners. According to Owens Corning, 78 percent of homeowners say normal household activities are disrupted by superfluous noise, and nearly half admit the daily din elevates stress and tension levels. Eight in 10 respondents say their home has no form of noise control.

Q: I have dry rot underneath my vinyl floor, next to the shower in the bathroom. There is a “bubble” formed. What kind of repair is involved and what is the estimated cost? Also, is this a do-it-yourself project?

December’s plan for summer’s pleasure

These days, you don’t have to be a celebrity to have a fabulous outdoor kitchen like the ones showcased on the Food Network, or a gorgeous front lawn like those featured in Southern Living Magazine. In fact, all you need is Selective Designs.

Are your pines leaking sap? Are there small holes in the bark, about the diameter of a pencil? Then it would behoove you to read through this short article.

Bright, inviting home gyms welcome more workouts

By Debra D. Bass
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

There’s probably no such thing as a French country home gym.