Alabaster’s Clean Sweep
As Earth Day approaches and spring brings a fresh start, the ninth annual Alabaster Clean Sweep will be held on Saturday, April 9. The event includes:
• A Shred-It and e-cycle event from 8 a.m. to noon at 10111 Hwy 119. This event is for Alabaster residents only. Shredding is limited to five file boxes of paper per household. There is a $10 disposal fee per CRT computer monitor, $10 shredding fee per computer hard drive, and a $25 disposal fee per flat screen TV. No tube televisions accepted.
• The city will also offer 100 curbside rubbish pickup slots for Saturday, April 9. Signup for these slots will open on Saturday, March 26, at signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4aa5a928abf49-household.
• Volunteer Litter Groups can register for time slots and roadways within the city for April 23 by emailing [email protected]. The deadline to register is April 1. All litter crews will be supplied with vests, trash bags, and gloves and will have a police escort while picking up litter. This event counts as service hours for local students.
Paper shredding benefits include protection from identity theft, saving storage space by eliminating unnecessary papers and documents causing clutter, and protecting the environment by reducing the number of trees cut down.
E-Cycling, or electronics recycling, is the practice of reusing or recycling computer or electronics parts. The benefits of E-cycling include keeping toxic materials out of landfills— properly disposing of electronic items prevents toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and radioactive materials from contaminating our environment—reuse of resources—electronics contain components that can often be reused, and reducing the use of virgin materials.
Spring Garden Tips
According to Better Homes & Gardens, when you get back out into the garden after winter, start with these tasks to get the yard ready for spring and the growing season.
• Clean up flowerbeds
Clear away dead leaves and other debris from winter storms from the soil surface where you are planning to plant annual flowers and veggies. Remove protective winter mulch from around perennials and ornamental grasses (hedge trimmers make it easy to give grass clumps a clean, even look), and cut back last year’s dried foliage.
• Divide perennials
Dividing perennials is a budget-friendly way to fill your garden with more plants or share them with friends.
• Add fresh mulch around perennials
One of the easiest ways to make your yard look polished is to add a fresh layer of mulch to garden beds. This also helps the soil retain moisture and keeps down the weeds. Spread mulch evenly, being careful not to layer it on too thickly around your plants because this could cause problems such as diseases.
• Perform basic maintenance of hardscapes
Check stonework for frost heaves, particularly in paths and edging. Check the general condition of your deck or patio, and make any needed repairs. Clean off outdoor furniture so it’s ready when you are for relaxing after a busy day in the garden.
• Plant veggies
Hardy, cool-season vegetables, like potatoes, artichokes, peas, and some lettuces, germinate best in cool soil, so plant them in early spring once the soil has thawed. They should be ready to harvest by early summer.
• Add new trees and shrubs
Plant as soon as the ground isn’t frozen anymore. The earlier you can do this, the better, so your trees and shrubs have enough time to grow new roots before temperatures start getting hot.
Beautification Board Winners
February Winner
The Ward 3 home of Gregory Marcus at 925 Simmsville Road accents the traditional ranch style with rough-hewn columns on the front porch and a pop of a blue color on the front door. Boxwood hedges, Soft Touch Yaupon Holly, and Maristone border the front line of the house and a well-kept yard complete the tableau.
March Winner
The Ward 4 home of Daniel and Jenny Spino at 240 13th St. SW has been a five-year labor of love for the family, with Daniel doing much of the work himself. The transformation included adding the cedar shakes and the wood accents—the beams, siding, and fence—that create a modern, rustic look.
The landscaping includes perennials and annuals, with calla lilies ringing the red maple tree in the front yard. Roses, hydrangeas, and lady fern are planted in front of the fence with creeping fig growing on the fence. The yard’s two water features—a fountain and fish pond built by Daniel—are flanked by Fox tail fern, Hawaiian ti plant, fire bush, and red dragon maple tree. A cutting flower garden is on the side of the house.
