Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • March 28, 2012 Tips to help homeowners ease into spring projects spring and summer seasons with just a few simple steps: Sketch out those garden plans, and pick the plants that can be purchased or grown from seed. Plans don’t need to be drawn to scale, but they will provide great background information for a shopping list. Research how early seedlings should be started, so they will be ready for transplant when the time arrives. Also create plans for any home projects that need to be accomplished. The depth of those plans depends on how complicated the project is. Make certain all permits are in order, if they are required by the community. If a contractor is needed, a formal agreement and timeline should be in place before the work begins. Check lawn tools, such as pruning shears, for sharp blades and either sharpen or replace them if they don’t easily cut through a small stem of plant material. Also, review lawn mower blades. Check the oil, gasoline, and starters on all gardening machines to ensure they will run correctly when needed. Review home tools to determine if any new purchases or replacements are needed. This is the perfect time to head to the store and purchase missing tools, (ARA) Now is the time for homeowners to get a jump start on planning and prepping for their spring and summer home and garden projects. In addition to fine-tuning home improvement and gardening plans, it is also a good idea to make certain the required tools are in tip-top shape, so the projects are not delayed. Here are some ways to prepare for the add new blades to saws, or replenish the sandpaper stash. All of these steps will save you from running back and forth to the store. A little care can go a long way in keeping your hands and feet -- the most valuable tools found in every household -- in good shape after the long, dry winter months. These tools are vital to accomplishing everything on those garden and home project lists, and they are often forgotten. Products such as O’Keeffe’s Working Hands and O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet relieve dry, cracked skin. Start every project with healthy hands, and keep them that way throughout the entire season of projects. Start purchasing the materials needed ahead of time. This helps to spread out the cost, and can give an idea of how much time and effort the project will take to be completed. Get started now in matching colors, finding the perfect accessories, and even comparison shopping. For homeowners who haven’t experienced the warm-weather-project itch quite yet, it’s still a good idea to start thinking about those items on to-do lists to help with being prepared and ready to go. It doesn’t take a lot of energy to have a successful spring and summer project season.