With all the rain we have been receiving lately, my garden beds are rather abundant. Unfortunately, almost all the greenery is weeds. I have been quite busy so far this year and am only now getting around to trying to set aside some time to get a spring garden planted. Of course, now I must first contend with the weed situation before I can move on to the fun part. Since all this much-needed rain has left me dealing with weeds in my garden beds right now, I thought some of you might be dealing with them as well and could maybe use some ideas about how to limit weed growth among our food plants. I know I have talked about natural weed prevention in past columns, but many of those methods are not suitable for use around food plants or other desirable plants. Options like salt, cornmeal, boiling water, and vinegar do not discriminate between weeds and wanted plants, so we need to move beyond these easy options when we are removing weeds from our vegetable gardens. 1. Hoe or pull existing weeds. Whether or not you have already planted your desirable plants, you need to remove the undesirable ones before we can do anything else about it. So, if your garden beds do not have food plants (or you can hoe around them) and are low enough and large enough to hoe, use a hoe to remove weeds. If they are raised beds or it is difficult to get to the weeds around wanted food plants, pull them by hand. While hoeing and weeding can put stress on your body and are not the easiest way to kill weeds, they are the most effective way to make sure the entire weed plant and roots are removed. I use a Hori Hori garden knife for removing weeds – and lots of other tasks in the garden – which makes weed removal much easier. 2. Mind the weeds in surrounding areas. Most weeds did not start out in your garden beds. Those seeds blew over from some other part of your yard or were left by a bird or other critter visiting your garden. While you cannot stop weed seeds from migrating from your neighbors’ yards, you can keep the weeds down on your own property to help limit seeds finding their way into your garden. 3. Irrigate carefully. Water only the areas where there are wanted seeds or plants and avoid watering bare areas of your garden where weed seeds might be waiting for an opportunity to sprout. The easiest way to do this is to install a drip system or use soaker hoses. 4. Disturb the soil as little as possible. The less you disturb the soil, the lower the risk of weed seeds germinating in your garden. Mix in compost and amendments to prepare your soil but avoid tilling the whole garden to remove weeds and prepare the ground. 5. Use non-living ground covers around food plants. Cover any bare earth in your garden with non-living ground covers, such as mulch, bark, wood chips, or straw. If you choose bark or wood chips, make sure to choose natural options that have not been dyed. Cover the ground around your plants with at least two inches of one of these natural materials to prevent weed growth. Make sure you to leave the base of your food plants clear by keeping the ground cover a few inches away from the base. 6. Try growing your food plants closer together. Rather than thinning out your carrots, beets, and other food plants, allow them to grow closer together. They will not all perform equally, but you will end up with a larger harvest and less space for weeds to take hold. 7. Stay on top of weed removal. It is easiest to remove weeds when they are first emerging, so stay on top of pulling weeds while they are seedlings. If you do not have time to check for weeds every few days, at least make sure you pull them before they go to seed and exacerbate the problem.
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Surrounded by orchards in Ojai’s popular East End, this 1947 home and guest house have been lovingly restored to offer modern comforts and conveniences while keeping its original character. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom main house and one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house are located on an approximately one-acre lot with a one-stall barn, pipe corral, chicken coop, fruit trees, and garden bed. The property boasts heritage oaks and drought-resistant landscaping and is surrounded by 360-degree mountain views, including one of the best views and sunsets in the valley. The sunsets overlooking the surrounding fields and orange groves are incredible. Escape and feel the beauty of the country with this charming property and still be five minutes from historic downtown Ojai. Features include:
Three bedrooms, two bathrooms Recently remodeled Sunroom or bonus room Stone fireplace Wood floors Built-in bookshelves Covered porch Both houses currently rented Approximately one acre One-stall barn and pipe corral Chicken coop Garden bed Fruit trees Drought-tolerant landscaping 360-degree mountain views Close to trails and downtown Ojai To learn more about this East End Ojai horse property for sale, visit the property information page. To schedule a showing, contact Nora Davis today. Originally designed by Austen Pierpont, this remarkable home has been fully remodeled with incredible attention to detail and an eye towards upscale living. This includes unique touches like the dining room’s antique Chapman light fixture, French casement windows for unobstructed views, and Ashley Norton door hardware throughout. Vaulted ceilings, hardwood and travertine floors, two wood-burning or gas fireplaces, walk-in pantry, duel-fuel Wolf range, Carrera Gold marble counters, and large windows bathing every room in natural light are just a handful of this home’s alluring features. The media room, two laundry rooms, well-designed layout, and luxurious primary suite with a spa-like bath with two vanities and a large, walk-in closet are also sure to impress. The exceptional outdoor living areas include a swimming pool with spa, Baja shelf, and automatic cover, patio fireplace, built-in Viking grill, bar, dog runs, family orchard, large lawn area, and multiple patios and seating areas. Features include:
Approximately 2,601 square feet Three bedrooms, 2.5 bathroom Large primary suite with spa-like en suite Two vanities in primary bathroom Large, walk-in closet in primary bedroom Media room/family room Two wood-burning or gas fireplaces Dual-fuel, six-burner Wolf range Carrera Gold marble counters Walk-in pantry with coffee bar Two laundry rooms (house and garage) Travertine floors and baseboards Two closets & built-ins in each guest bedroom Ashley Norton door hardware throughout French casement windows Vaulted ceilings Large windows for views and natural light Gated entry Approximately .7 acre Multiple outdoor living areas Swimming pool with Baja shelf and spa Patio fireplace Built-in Viking barbecue grill with bar Family orchard Raised garden beds Three dog runs Over-sized two-car garage with workshop RV parking with 50-amp hookup Fully fenced Privacy landscaping Copper gutters Pink Moment view Walk or bike to downtown Ojai Walk or bike to Meiners Oaks Visit the property information page to learn more about this Ojai home for sale in the Arbolada, or call Nora Davis today to schedule a private showing. Walk or bike to shops, restaurants, and the Ojai Valley Trail from this ideally located charmer.
The welcoming living room bathed in natural light from three skylights features two ceiling fans, fireplace, sliding door to the patio, and custom entertainment center. The adjacent dining room opens to the kitchen with granite counters, breakfast bar, island, walk-in pantry, and custom cabinets. Completing this wing of the house is a powder room and laundry room. A wide hallway leads to the primary suite and three guest bedrooms with ceiling fans and large closets. One of the guest rooms was the original primary bedroom and has a walk-in closet and en suite bathroom. There is also a guest bathroom with a tile shower and vanity. The primary suite features a ceiling fan, walk-in closet, sliding door to the backyard, sitting or yoga area, and an en suite bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and dual-sink vanity. Exterior features include covered patio, pool, built-in grill, and gated RV parking. Visit the property information page for more information, or contact Ojai real estate agent, Nora Davis to schedule a private showing today. This Mid-Century Modern Oak View fixer offers a great location for commuters and to enjoy the Ojai Valley lifestyle minutes from the downtown village, Lake Casitas, and Ventura beaches.
From this home base, you can walk to the grocery store, post office, bank, coffee shop, salons, shops, and restaurants or hop on your bike and take the Ojai Valley Trail to Ojai or Ventura. As you pass through the gated entry, notice the gravel parking area, fruit trees, privacy landscaping, and separate workshop for your hobbies or home-based business. Step inside to find vaulted ceilings, large closets, and a gas fireplace with wood storage and brick hearth. The spacious dining room is open to the living room and connects to the kitchen, where you will find a tile floor and counters. Sliding doors from the living room and primary bedroom lead to the partially covered back patio for weekend barbecues with family and friends or relaxing at the end of a long day. Great opportunity to renovate for yourself or as a rental. Visit the property information page for more photos and information, or contact Nora Davis to schedule a private showing. Spring is here, which means it is time for the annual ritual of spring cleaning. Since I love any excuse to clean and organize some part of my house, I love this ritual and usually start making my to-do list well before spring arrives. Most of us who participate in this tradition will include tasks like cleaning out the refrigerator, washing the windows, scrubbing the baseboards, shampooing rugs and carpets, and cleaning out closets. If you think you might still have a bit more energy to put towards cleaning after completing these tasks, here are four more you might consider adding this year: 1. Clean and maintain your garden tools. This is the perfect time of year to take an afternoon to clean, sharpen, and maintain your garden tools. This might be particularly true after all the rain we have had so far, which might have left some of your tools a bit rusty. For anything with a wood handle, apply linseed or another skin- and plant-safe oil, let it sit for about 20 minutes, and then wipe off the excess with a rag. If you have shovels or hand tools that need sharpening, use a mill file or flat file to sharpen the edges, or have them professionally sharpened. If some of your tools have gotten a bit rusty, use a wire brush or sandpaper to remove it. You can then apply a coat of linseed oil and store them with the metal part in a bucket of sand mixed with linseed or vegetable oil to help prevent future rusting. 2. Clean your patio furniture and outdoor textiles. While you are outside getting things ready for spring, grab the covers for your patio cushions and outdoor dog beds and bring them inside to launder. Wipe done plastic and metal patio furniture with soap, water, and a rag, and check wood or painted furnishings to see if they need a new coat of oil, stain, or paint. 3. Clean out your shed. The extra storage offered by sheds is rather handy, but it is easy to just keep tossing stuff in there and forgetting about it. Spring is a good time to take everything out of the shed, see if there are items you no longer need that can be given away, sold, or discarded, and then organize what is left to maximize the space and make it more functional. If you free up space in your shed, this will also make more room for storing garden tools, pool toys, or other items that might be cluttering your outdoor living areas. 4. Clean your refrigerator coils and dryer vent. Help your appliances function better and reduce the risk of a house fire by cleaning your refrigerator coils and dryer vent. All of your refrigerators – the main one in the kitchen, the extra one in the garage, the mini fridge in your outdoor kitchen, and the wine refrigerator in your pantry – all have coils that need to be cleaned at least twice per year. This is an easy task you can do yourself with a screwdriver and a vacuum. The dryer vent is usually also easy to clean, but you can hire a professional if you are not comfortable doing it or want to make sure it is properly cleaned to reduce the risk of fire. Side note: If your spring cleaning includes donating items you no longer need, check local organizations, such as Humane Society of Ventura (HSVC.org) or Ojai Raptor Center (OjaiRaptorCenter.com) to see if the items might be on their list of needs. Alternatively, donating general goods to the 2nd HELPings thrift store in Ojai allows the items to be sold to support HELP of Ojai. AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, green living, and travel writing. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.
This beautiful, three-bedroom, three-bathroom home offers the coveted Ojai Valley lifestyle just minutes from the downtown village but with less traffic for commuters.
Located less than 10 minutes from camping, boating, fishing, and the water park at Lake Casitas and just a short walk or bike ride to the Ojai Valley Trail, this ideally located home is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, as well as folks who prefer heading to Ojai for wine tasting or boutique shopping. The primary suite is a relaxing retreat with an over-sized soaking tub and dual-sink vanity. The kitchen features a large island with a breakfast bar, butler’s pantry, separate coffee bar, and access to a flagstone patio with a built-in barbecue grill and pergola-covered entertaining area. There is also a cozy fireplace in the family room, huge laundry room, finished three-car garage, ceiling fans, built-ins, and many upgrades and special features that must be seen to truly appreciate all this home has to offer. Learn more about this Ojai home for sale on the property information page, or call Nora Davis today to schedule a showing! Spring and summer are generally considered the best times to sell your home, which means the hottest home-selling season is almost here. The days will be longer, flowers will be in bloom, surrounding mountains will be greener, and – according to Realtor.com – you are more likely to get a higher price and more favorable appraisal during this time of year. There will also be more inventory, which means buyers will have more homes from which to choose. This means that you might need to do a bit extra to make sure your home stands out and makes a good first impression on potential buyers. What will work best for your home will depend on your home’s unique qualities and needs, but here are seven ideas to help you think about the best way to prepare your property to sell this spring. 1. Clear the clutter. This is always a good first step to prepare your home to sell. You can instantly improve your curb appeal by decluttering your front yard and will make the interior of your home feel larger, cleaner, and more comfortable by removing excess stuff. 2. Depersonalize at least a little. You want potential buyers to see themselves living in your home, which is easier for them to do if every room is not filled with uniquely personal items. This does not mean that you need to take down all your family photos, but it does mean that you might at least want to consider reducing them and removing your personal collection of snow globes, religious relics, or souvenir spoons. When deciding which items to remove, keep in mind that you want potential buyers to remember your home, not your belongings. 3. Deweaponize your house. This one might sound a bit odd, but I cannot tell you how many times I have walked into a home that is about to be put on the market and has guns, knives, swords, spears, or some other type of weaponry on display. This is not a great look for selling your home. If you have a valuable collection of antique weapons, you probably do not want to advertise this. If you have dangerous weapons in your home, you probably also do not want to advertise that. Plus, having weapons on display or laying around your house is going to turn off some buyers, and turning off potential buyers is not going to help you sell your home. 4. Take care of deferred maintenance. Make a list of all the maintenance tasks that would make your home safer, more visually appealing, or better functioning but may have been put off due to a busy schedule or limited budget. Peeling paint, broken windowpanes, overgrown weeds, scuffed walls, broken sprinkler heads, and other deferred maintenance can make buyers wonder what other tasks you have been putting off. To avoid buyers questioning how well you have maintained your home, take care of those tasks that you have been putting off for too long. 5. Improve curb appeal. Buyers begin to form an opinion about your home the first time they drive by or pull into the driveway for a showing. This first impression is paramount and is heavily influenced by your home’s curb appeal. You may have become a bit desensitized to how your home looks from the street, since you probably pull into the driveway at least once a day, so you may need a new perspective to help you determine how best to enhance the curb appeal of your home. One way to do this is to walk across the street and look at your house. Could your exterior light fixtures use updating? Is your mailbox a bit crooked or faded? Does your trim need to be painted? Could your house use a good pressure washing? Anything you can do to make your home look cleaner and more welcoming will help attract buyers, so consider making repairs and updates, adding visual appeal with plants or flowers, cleaning up your landscaping, and decluttering your lawn and porch. 6. Refresh ground covers. One of the most affordable and easiest ways to improve the look of your yard is to refresh ground covers. If you have areas of bare dirt in your yard or spots where your gravel or bark is getting sparse, add gravel, mulch, wood chips, or bark for a quick makeover that will instantly increase visual appeal. 7. Do your spring cleaning early. Your home should be as close to spotless as possible before your agent starts showing it to potential buyers. To help prepare your home to sell, give your home a deep cleaning, or hire a local cleaning company to do it for you. If you are ready to sell your home, list with a local real estate agent who understands the Ojai Valley market and will know how best to market your home. Once you have found an agent that is a good fit, they will be able to help you determine how best to prepare your home before putting it on the market. This may include additional cosmetic repairs or upgrades, professional staging, or – if your budget allows – home improvement projects that can increase your home’s value. AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, green living, and travel writing. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.
Walk or bike to the coffee shop, salon, post office, market, and all that Oak View has to offer from this spacious home with beautiful mountain views and flexible, light-filled living spaces. Nestled on a hill under heritage oaks, this welcoming home features oak floors, vaulted ceilings, a gas fireplace, breakfast bar, family room with wood-burning stove and wet bar, skylights, and additional alluring qualities that fill it with an inviting warmth that beckons you to explore in search of its many unique features. These include the sleeping loft or reading nook in one of the guest bedrooms, the large laundry room tucked beyond the primary bathroom, the jetted soaking tub with mountain views, and the expansive entertaining deck that will have you dreaming of hosting your next al fresco dinner party. Exterior features include gated entry, multiple outdoor living areas with Trex decking and mountain views, solar panels, chicken coop, fruit trees, raised garden beds, automatic drip system, landscape lighting, covered storage areas, and two driveways. Plus, the extra-deep, two-car garage has a powder room and space for storage or a workshop, as well as a door leading to a covered area that could be used as a workshop or additional outdoor living area. Features include:
Three bedrooms, two bathrooms Family room or game room Office Gas fireplace Wood-burning stove Wood floors Vaulted ceilings Wet bar Laundry room Over-sized, jetted bathtub Dual-sink vanity Dumbwaiter Skylights and ceiling fans Expansive outdoor living areas Trex decking Solar panels 2023 roof Over-sized, two-car garage Two driveways Gated entry Mature landscaping Fruit trees Chicken coop Raised garden beds Mountain views Walk or bike to shops and restaurants Learn more about this Oak View home for sale on the property information page, or contact Nora Davis today to schedule a showing. According to the Forbes Health/OnePoll survey conducted in October 2023, improving physical fitness is a top priority for folks making resolutions for the new year. Forty-eight percent of respondents reported improving fitness as their top goal in 2024. This is followed by 38% prioritizing improving finances, 36% looking to improve their mental health, 34% prioritizing weight loss, and 25% wanting to make more time for loved ones. (Forbes.com) I’m guessing this means we are going to see even more folks hitting the pickleball courts this year, and they might even be doing it with their families to combine the goals of fitness, weight loss, and spending time with loved ones. Being more active is always on my list of resolutions and, going into my fifth year as a widow, spending as much time as possible with loved ones is a priority every day of the year. For 2024, I am thinking that I also want to focus on home organization and continuing my seemingly never-ending list of projects around the house. If you, too, also seem to always be in home repair or home improvement mode, here are some resolutions for you and me to consider adding to our lists this year. 1. Use local contractors. If your house project list includes maintenance, repairs, or renovations that require a professional, support your neighbors and the local economy by hiring local contractors. If you plan on completing home improvement projects on your own, head to one of our local hardware stores, nurseries, or the lumberyard for the materials, tools, and garden features you need. 2. Support local businesses. If redecorating your home or improving organization is more in line with your goals for 2024, shop local to help build community and support the local economy. 3. Donate your gently loved clothing and household items to local charities. Clearing clutter is always on my to-do list. One of the bigger projects I am planning for this year is to finally really clean out and organize the garage. As I slowly work on this project, I have come across so many items I no longer need. If you could also stand to let go of belongings you no longer need or use, consider clearing your clutter for a cause by donating them to local organizations that help folks in need. For example, donations to 2nd Helpings Thrift Store (841 East Ojai Avenue) help provide lower-cost necessities for local families while also supporting the important services HELP of Ojai provides. 4. Set up home maintenance reminders. Add reminders to your phone, calendar, or other preferred system to help you remember regular home maintenance tasks. This includes tasks like changing your furnace filters every one to three months, cleaning your refrigerator coils every six months, cleaning your dryer vent at least once a year, and having your chimneys cleaned and inspected before you start using your fireplaces each winter. 5. Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. It is best to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once a month and to check the batteries every six months, but, since I know you are not testing them monthly, let’s at least get it on your list of home maintenance resolutions to check them now. Then, see #4 above and set up a reminder to regularly perform this very important home maintenance task. Happy new year, everyone! May 2024 bring you health, joy, love, prosperity, and adventure however you define each of those. AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, green living and travel writing. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.
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