Coats for Kids & Families
 

For the third year in a row, Archive is collecting warm winter wear to support United Way of Alberta Capital Region’s Coats for Kids & Families initiative.

Many families in our region can’t afford to purchase the clothing they need to stay warm during Alberta’s harsh winters. This year, the need is even greater as people continue to face financial challenges. Let’s help!

All donation items must be clean and in good condition. For items that are accepted, see the official campaign poster below:

United Way Alberta Capital Region Coats for Kids & Families campaign poster

 

Together we can make sure no one in our community is left behind. If you would like to contribute please email jacquie@archivecontracting.com for collection details.

Coats for Kids & Families is one of the many community services and programs the United Way Alberta Capital Region provides to families who are living in poverty. For more information on what they do, please visit www.myunitedway.ca.

 
Jacquie Troy Carter
Winterizing Raised Planter Boxes
 

Raised garden box made of wood pallets

 

As you may recall from our Digging in the Dirt blog post, we have a greenthumb or two on our Archive crew. In that particular post, we shared favourite things about raised garden boxes and the benefits of building them. But now that your crops have been harvested and winter is fast approaching, you may be wondering what to do with them.

Let’s dive into some simple ways to preserve your garden boxes throughout the colder months.

Dispose
Clean up any unsightly weeds and dead plants. Any healthy looking vegetation can be added into your compost to regenerate into soil that will be useful come Spring. Any diseased or otherwise, useless plants can be thrown into your household waste. Now that the Fall collection of yard waste has expired, you can add this waste into your green food scraps bin, which will be collected on the City of Edmonton’s update winter schedule, starting November 9, 2021.

Improve
Increase soil quality by adding a layer of good compost to the top of the soil. The natural process of freezing and thawing will work the compost in, creating a nutrient rich soil for the Spring. Adding leaves, twigs and branches as mulch will also add protection in the colder days.

Plant
The Fall is the optimal time to plant garlic. Getting the cloves into the soil before the freezing weather occurs will guarantee robust and delicious garlic in the Spring. Many types of garlic require exposure to colder temperatures in order to thrive - although since we are in Alberta, it is recommended to plant garlic cloves a bit deeper (closer to 3 inches deep) to give them some protection over the winter.

Prepare
Inspect your wooden elevated garden beds. Fix any surfaces in need of refurbishment. Those that are exposed to the elements can be sanded and sealed to extend the life of the planter box. There is also a chance that since this year’s raised garden boxes were bountiful, you’ve decided to increase the number of garden boxes in your yard. Build them now so you can focus on growing in the Spring.

After cleaning up, fortifying and preparing, you can relax and enjoy the winter reading gardening books, planning your next garden and dreaming about how to make your Backyard Beautiful. Happy Days!

Prepare Your Home for Fall
 
Archive Contracting: Custom House Build and Window Install

Archive Contracting: Custom House Build and Window Install

 

The days are shorter, the leaves are turning colour (and falling) and the pumpkins are beginning to show their ghoulish presence. This can only mean one thing…Fall is here. With the chilly weather closing in on us, now is the time to prepare your home for the impending cooler months.

There can be many tasks around the home when it comes to fall maintenance however, we have curated a list of four things that we think are of high importance. Grab some sort of writing utensil and start your Fall Home Maintenance To-Do list! Let’s get to it…

  1. Clean Eavestroughs
    Otherwise known as gutters, eavestroughs are designed to collect the water that runs off your roof and direct it away from your home. Any clogging of your rainwater drainage system could potentially cause exterior damage (rot, settlement, foundation issues) and even interior flooding (rotten fascia boards, walls and ceilings, wet basement).

    Experts recommend cleaning eavestroughs approximately twice a year, usually in the fall and late spring. Leaves are the main offender for clogged gutters so waiting until those pesky leaves have fallen will save you multiple trips up the ladder. Removing leaves and other debris will also deter small animals and birds from getting comfortable in your gutters and roof of your home.

  2. Inspect Roof
    Speaking of roofs, since you probably haven’t put away your binoculars from your summer camping expeditions (well, we haven’t!), strap those things on and take a peek up on the rooftop. Look out for loose, cracked or missing shingles, rust spots on flashing or cosmetic issues such as algae or lichen. Inspecting the roof once a year could help you to plan in advance for any necessary repairs.

  3. Clean and Inspect Furnace
    If you have a service agreement with your HVAC provider, then now is the time to call them in to give your unit a full tune-up. You do not want to wait until the cold air hits to ensure that your furnace is working efficiently so at the very least, clean or replace the filter. It is actually best practice to do that on a monthly basis anyhow.

  4. Check Doors and Windows
    Windows and doors can account for up to 25% of total heat loss in a house, according to Natural Resources Canada’s “Keeping The Heat In’. Reducing air leakage not only provides comfort to those inside the home, it protects the building envelope from potential moisture damage.

    Inspect doors and windows for any sign of rot, mould or staining. Inspect the weather stripping which to be effective, must not allow air to pass through. While replacing weather stripping is the most cost effective way to eliminate drafts windows and doors, it could be worth considering upgrading to more energy efficient models. This would ensure maximum home comfort but could save on those heating bills too.

    It’s also a good idea to check other entry points (electrical, cable, phone and gas) and eliminate any drafts if and when you detect them.

 
Archive Contracting: Custom Built Home framing project

Archive Contracting: Custom Built Home framing project

 

Although these tasks are easily within a homeowner’s ability, hiring a professional can be worth the expense. They will certainly have in depth knowledge for specific issues and years of experience that will help correct a potential problem at the source. But whether it’s with your own two hands or the hands of a skilled trade, tackling these maintenance items early will hopefully prevent bigger issues later in the colder season.