Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living | April 2022

April 2022

nor hwoods
SpringHOME | GARDEN | OUTDOOR LIVING
EDITION

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2 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 3

CON ENTS

Colors 6
8Home Decor Trends
12Home Interior Styles
14Revamp Living Areas

Fire Tables 18
20Backyard Kitchens

Spring Garden 26
Organic Lawn 34
40Raised Garden Beds

Yurts 44

Copyright 2022 Adams Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Design & Layout by Angela Rediess.

4 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

Heating - Ventilation - Air Conditioning 4popular
colors for 2022
CHoeamtinfog r- tVefnotirlaatiolnif-eAtiirmCoen.ditioning Home design trends come and go. The fleeting nature of
such trends can make it hard for homeowners to commit
10954 E. Melby St., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 to a particular style, especially if they want their home
decor to stay as current as possible. Paint provides one
Comfort for a lifetime.715-832-1691 way to stay current and refresh a home’s interior without
www.hovlands-inc.com investing in new furniture and home accessories. Paint
trends change, but these colors are already making the
Grilling rounds in 2022.

OUT Very Peri: Very Peri is the Pantone®

SPOONER All Available 2022 Color of the Year. A brand new shade of
at ACE blue, Very Peri was designed to rekindle some
of the qualities that the color blue represents
113 ASH STREET, SPOONER, WI while simultaneously complementing a modern
715-635-7373 perspective. The home design pros at HGTV
The Helpful Place M-F 7-6 • Sat. 8-5 • Sun. 8-3 recommend pairing Very Peri with neutrals like taupes
and creams or deeper shades like navy or brown.
6 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living
Evergreen Fog: The paint experts

at Sherwin-Williams note that this shade
of green is symbolic of nature and a color
associated with revitalization and growth. Those
characteristics make it great for homeowners who
are looking to create a new beginning with their home
interiors, particularly in relaxing spaces like living rooms
and bedrooms.

Breezeway: Breezeway from Behr®

is another popular color that provides a soft
look. Breezeway is the Behr® Color of the Year
for 2022 and is described as a silvery green shade
with cool undertones. Behr® touts the versatility of
Breezeway, which the company indicates inspires awe in
bedrooms, living rooms or hallways. Breezeway pairs well
with creamy white, taupe, softened black, and nuanced
pink.

Gilded Linen: Gilded Linen

from Valspar® is ideal for homeowners who
want a color to organize and connect spaces
throughout their homes. Gilded Linen is a
minimalist white that mixes well with natural
elements like wood and greenery. The soft tone of
Gilded Linen makes it suitable in a variety of rooms,
which is one reason why it’s so popular in homes with
open floor plans.

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 7

8 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 3 MAJOR
THEMES IN
HOME DECOR

2022

Nature | Curves | Sustainability/Vintage

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

Lofted Cabin MaintenanCe Lofted Garden Shed
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N14688 Koser Ave. • Stanley, WI 54768 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 9
Mark: 715-644-8162
Email: [email protected]

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

10 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 1. Nature

Incorporating nature into your home’s aesthetic will go far beyond
the perfunctory houseplant in the corner this year. Nature is inspiring
everything from anchor pieces to accent details strengthening our
sensory connection to the world. Fulfilling our need for calm, restorative
spaces, the trend encompasses color, texture, shape and even scent to
create a healing ambience. The use of organic materials will add depth
and soul to rooms and bring a little magic back into our lives.

Some things to look for:

Shades of green, blue and brown.
Warm wood tones.
A resurgence of natural materials - stoneware, terracotta, marble, etc.
Potted citrus trees or olive trees
Greenery

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

Kindled HeFaIrRtEhPLACE STORE Do your research before buying plants. Some are easier to care for than others.

Wood & Gas • Sweetheart Plant: A versatile climber; happy in semi to full-shaded
Pellet rooms.
Electric
• Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree: Hardy and beautiful bushy trees; need sunny
Fireplaces, rooms and weekly watering.
Inserts &
• Monstera: A large family of plants with unique cut-out-shaped
Freestanding leaves; thrives in low-light interiors.
Stoves
• Palm: Another family with a wide variety of big and small plants;
flourishes in partial sun.

• Snake Plant: Rumored to absorb negativity; prospers in indirect
sunlight and with infrequent watering.

2. Curves

The curved line is energetically making its way into our homes both
inside and out. Round edges and organic shapes are showing up in
furniture, architectural elements and decor. Curves give a cozier more
feminine feel to living spaces upgrading the ambience from functional
to comfortable. Think - free form sofas, drum coffee tables and arched
structures.

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kindledhearthfireplacestore.com • Downtown Cumberland • 715.822.5355 3. Sustainability/Vintage

This eco-friendly trend has been growing in popularity over the last
decade. With advancements in technology and materials it has become
evermore accessible to all. To be a bit cliche, green is the new black and
could mean repurposing old furniture, shopping locally or stocking up
on pieces made from recycled or scrap materials. It allows us to make
our homes uniquely ours creating a lasting personal style.

Some things to look for:

Upcycling
More glass, less plastic
Opt for energy-efficient design that reduces the need for appliances,
heating, and lighting.
Choose eco-friendly materials, which are either recycled, reused, or
from certified sustainable sources. This category is vast and includes
reclaimed wood, bio-glass, recycled metal, and jute.
Stick to green finishes. To minimize your ecological footprint choose
paints with “non-toxic”, “low-biocide”, or “milk” tags.
Visit local antique stores, fairs, and markets.
Look for lesser-known brands. Get to know alternatives by
researching the style or item you want.
Buy vintage furniture online.
Attend an estate sale or antique auction.

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 11

KEY COMPONENTS OF 3 POPULAR
HOME INTERIOR STYLES

1. Traditional 3. Farmhouse

Considerable thought goes into designing a Homes with a traditional interior style Farmhouse has become very popular in
home’s interior. From which color to paint give a formal yet welcoming feel. Many recent years. In fact, a recent survey from
the walls to the size of the living room couch, individuals associate crown molding and the interior design service Modsy found
homeowners must make a variety of decisions wainscoting with traditional interiors, so that farmhouse was the most popular
that’s something homeowners aiming for design style in 26 states. Farmhouse is
when planning their home interiors. this style should keep in mind. Minimal beloved for a variety of reasons, not the
or modern furniture pieces don’t fit least of which is its association with a
One way to simplify interior design decisions is with the traditional style, which tends simpler lifestyle. The rustic charm of
to choose a style. Interior design styles run the to utilize period pieces made from real the countryside is never far from the
wood. mind when in a home with a farmhouse-
gamut from traditional to modern, and each inspired interior. Traditional farmhouse
style has its own unique look and feel. Though 2. Modern and modern farmhouse are different
styles, but natural materials and bright
homeowners need not feel beholden to any Modern interiors may differ depending colors, particularly white walls, are
particular item associated with a given style, on which style of modern homeowners elements shared by both.
three of the more popular styles, traditional, are aiming for. Midcentury modern Traditional, modern and farmhouse
modern and farmhouse, each have certain key typically features unique furnishings are three popular home interior styles.
components that can ensure a home ends up that some might see as retro. However, Each has its own unique components,
many companies now offer updated and homeowners can supplement their
with a look homeowners are aiming for. takes on midcentury modern that call favored style as they see fit.
to mind a bygone era but don’t make
individuals feel as though they’re living
in a museum. Urban modern is another
popular modern style, and home interiors
fashioned in this style tend to be light,
airy and not crowded with furnishings.
Calm, soft tones are a go-to with urban
modern interiors, helping to create the
serene settings many homeowners are
hoping to create with this style.

12 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

Cumberland Signs of electrical
problems in a home
Hardware & Lumber

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Everything You Need Homeowners know that all sorts of issues can affect a home. Issues
to Get the Job Done can run the gamut from the merely annoying to the unsafe. Electrical
issues fall into the latter category, posing a significant safety hazard if
Cumberland left unchecked.
Hardware & Lumber According to the home safety experts at UL ( formerly known as
Underwriters Laboratories), learning to recognize warning signs of
2421 N. Hwy. 63 • Cumberland electrical wiring issues can greatly lower the risk of house fires. House
fires pose a significant threat, as the Electrical Safety Foundation
715-822-8459 International notes that electrical malfunctions cause more than
50,000 house fires each year. UL indicates that the majority of those
FROM BEDROOMS TO house fires can be prevented, and learning to recognize signs of
electrical problems in a home is a key component of home fire
Redesign with a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit. prevention.
Dimming or flickering lights: The UL notes that light fixtures do
70Banking on Relationships forYears RICE LAKE not typically draw a substantial amount of power, so dimming or
16 S MAIN ST flickering lights is not often indicative of an issue with a fixture.
www.dairystatebank.com 715-234-9181 Dimming or flickering lights could indicate that the circuit the lights
are on is overburdened, most likely by large appliances sharing the
RICE LAKE | MENOMONIE | BIRCHWOOD | BLOOMER | COLFAX | CUMBERLAND Member circuit with the lights. If dimming and flickering lights are a problem,
DOWNSVILLE | HAUGEN | PRAIRIE FARM | TURTLE LAKE | WHEELER homeowners can speak to an electrician about moving the fixtures
FDIC to another circuit or installing a new line specifically for major
appliances.
April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Odors: Odor emanating from an outlet, fuse box or breaker panel
should be reported to an electrician immediately. The odor, which
some homeowners indicate smells like fish, could be a result of an
overheated circuit. Odor coming from an outlet, fuse box or breaker
panel could indicate a significant electrical issue, so homeowners
should not hesitate to report this problem to an electrician. Odors
can sometimes travel through HVAC systems as well, so homeowners
should take note and call an electrician even if their outlets do not
smell.
Hot outlets/switch plates: Outlets and/or switch plates that are
hot to the touch are another indicator of an electrical issue. UL notes
that outlets that become hot even when nothing is plugged into them
could be wired incorrectly. In such instances, an electrician will need
to fix the issue. In the meantime it may be best for homeowners to
flip the breaker or remove the fuse for the outlet.
Frequently blown fuses or tripped breakers: According to UL,
circuit breakers and fuses have a built-in fail-safe that is designed
to prevent overloading. Sometimes a tripped breaker is a result of
an aging appliance. One way to detect that is to plug in the product
to more than one outlet in the house. If each breaker trips, then
the appliance is likely to blame. However, if using the same outlet
continues to trip the breaker regardless of what’s plugged into it, then
the circuit requires the attention of an electrician.
Electrical issues increase the risk for home fires. Fortunately, such
issues are generally preventable and often easily remedied by a
qualified electrician.

Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 13

Low-cost ways to revamp living areas Update the flooring. Tired, outdated

Home improvement projects require substantial financial investment. But just carpeting or other flooring can use an overhaul.
because a homeowner wants to bring a fresh look indoors doesn’t mean he or she While solid hardwood flooring may be
has to break the bank along the way. preferable, there are many types of laminate
flooring that mimic the looks of popular wood
Living rooms are some of the most frequently used spaces in a home, and they colors and styles for a fraction of the cost. Plus,
can use an update from time to time to stay on trend or to make the area more many are sold at home improvement retailers
functional for a changing family dynamic. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for and even at warehouse clubs or online for
breathing new life into living room designs. reasonable prices. Laminate flooring also may
be a potential DIY job for a skilled homeowner,
Establish the budget. Homeowners affordable. If not, scale things back until the saving even more money.
project more closely aligns with your budget.
should figure out how many dollars they can
designate to a living room makeover before Change the paint color. Lighter and
purchasing supplies or hiring out the work.
Figure out the scope of the remodel, visit brighter colors are on trend. A can or two of
stores or suppliers to price out materials, get paint can do wonders for updating a space
estimates from contractors, and then plan without a large financial commitment. Pair that
for some unforeseen circumstances along the new paint color with new window coverings
way to determine if this type of renovation is and complementary throw pillows to pull the
theme together with minimal expense.

14 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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Reupholster instead of replace furniture. There’s no need
April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication
to throw away quality furniture if the fabric is the only thing impeding
design. New upholstery or even a slipcover can update designs.

Conquer clutter. Rather than adding something to the living

room, remove clutter to give the room a more airy feel. This can
instantly change the look of the room. Use cord covers to tame plugs for
electronics and remove unnecessary furniture from the room.

Improve lighting. Another easy and often inexpensive fix is to

change lighting fixtures, including using brighter, more energy efficient
LED bulbs. Assess lighting needs to eliminate dark corners of rooms
that can make the space seem drab.

Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 15

Tips to Start with the utensils Organize under the sink
organize your
Utensils come in all shapes and sizes. Take inventory of It can be difficult to keep cleaning products tidy and
cluttered your utensils, discarding or donating items you don’t within reach. Try installing a short tension rod inside
kitchen use. Next, designate drawers or countertop storage the cabinet and use it to hang spray bottles, rubber
solutions for the utensils you use most often. Place gloves and cleaning cloths.
Kitchens serve as the heart of them within easy reach, and take into account your
many homes. Thanks to the dominant hand for placement. Use kitchen cabinet rollouts

popularity of open floor plans, Categorize your pantry A shortage of storage space in cabinets can be remedied
kitchens also tend to be highly with rollouts. They provide additional capacity to
visible from nearby spaces, such Empty the pantry, paying attention to staples cabinets and make it easier to find items, instead of
as family rooms and even main you regularly use. Then figure out a system for having to dig at the back of dim cabinet recesses.
entryways. A messy, cluttered categorization that works for your household. Perhaps
place all baking essentials together, such as flour, oil, Tame your container collection
kitchen can be an inefficient baking soda, and cocoa powder. Maybe you need to
eyesore that’s visible from various designate a ‘kids corner’ in the pantry where you keep It’s tempting to save all of those take-out containers
fruit snacks, granola bars and breakfast cereals. Use or empty margarine tubs for leftovers. But if there’s an
locations in a home. That makes uniformly shaped containers to store packaged foods avalanche every time you open up a cabinet to reach for
getting organized in the kitchen a so you’re not contending with oddly shaped boxes and a container, you probably have too many. Invest in one
bags. type of storage container so you can nest the containers
worthwhile goal. and lids for ultimate organization.
The following are some tips to Use extra wall or ceiling space An organized kitchen is more attainable than it may
help homeowners organize their seem. Some simple strategies can help homeowners
Large pots and pans can eat up cabinet space or clutter make these home hubs less cluttered.
kitchens. the inside of an oven for those who don’t have any
other space. While your decorative enamel Dutch oven
might fit nicely on a shelf or counter, cast-iron pans and
skillets can be hung from durable hooks over an island
or near the stove.

16 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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Standing Seam panelS, like any other home issue, like a leak or faulty electrical system,
aSphalt ShingleS, pests can cause significant damage if left unchecked. Furthermore,
cedar ShakeS, the droppings left from certain creatures can compromise human
and epdm/rubber health. For example, National Exterminating says rodents can spread
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• Boulder walls and Flagstone Walkways Homeowners can carry out thorough examinations of furniture,
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ACTIVE PESTS
GIFT CERTIFICATES are AVAILABLE: OPEN JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER M, W, F, (please call ahead for The experts at Batzner Pest Control say that live animals or insects
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Summer hours starting: June M, W, F. EVIDENCE OF NESTING
Most animals want somewhere cozy and comfortable to bed down
April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication and will use materials available to them when making nests. Look for
shredded paper, feathers, gathered twigs or grasses, home insulation
piles, or any other red flags that could be nests.
SMELLS, SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
Animals and insects can give off smells and make sounds. Roaches
are said to have an ‘oily’ odor, while mice may produce ‘musty’ smells.
Homeowners may hear gnawing, squeaking, scurrying, or scratching.
In addition, there may be holes, gnaw marks, signs of burrows, and
other signs of pests. Wood shavings or sawdust could indicate the
presence of termites, which cause serious structural damage.
STORED PESTICIDES
People who are viewing a potential new home and find cans and
canisters of pesticides or pest traps should recognize that there is likely
a problem with animals or insects there.
Pests can be a concern for homeowners, who can overcome the issue
after learning to identify signs of their presence.

Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 17

Creating an outdoor
living space

Fire tables growing in
popularity

By Regan Kohler

Spooner Advocate

Outdoor living spaces are becoming more popular throughout the Fire columns are another newer product
Northwoods. The inclusion of fire pit tables has been growing over the growing in popularity. They are a decorative
last five to 10 years, and the desire is growing, along with the different way to heat the outdoor living spaces.
styles of offerings.
Northern Lakes Do It Best offers wood and
With the need to get outdoors during the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, propane/gas tabletop sets. The nice thing about
visitors to the area flocked to local retailers for additions to their the gas and propane, Coddington said, is that
outside living spaces. you don’t get the smoky aftereffects of a bonfire
or such.

Three retailers in Hayward are go-to spots yards,” said Marketing Coordinator Mollie Coddington said the store ordered a few of
for those looking to add outdoor fire tables: Coddington. the bartop fire tables a couple
Northern Lakes Do It Best Hardware, North Coddington said Northern Lakes sells quite years ago, not sure if they
Star Landscaping & Garden Center and a bit of outdoor fire tables. They offer 10 or would sell.
L&M Fleet Supply. so different styles of the fire tables. Some are
Bond bartop, others small and portable. On some, the “They all sold,” she said.
Woodleaf Northern Lakes fire area can be covered and used as a regular
Fire Table Northern Lakes table. One popular style of these tables is the Last year, Northern Lakes
began carrying Bond Woodleaf 28-inch fire pit. brought in new items, such
Another style is the chat set, with a lip around as a Solo Bonfire smokeless
fire tables over the the outside of the fire area, “so there’s room to stainless-steel pot that is
last six years. put your drinks,” Coddington said. These sets portable for camping trips.
come with chairs, or people can just order the
“Traditional fire table. “There are so many new Solo
rings were the way products to officially enjoy the Stove
people started outdoors,” she said.
personalizing their Coddington said she feels since many people
couldn’t see their friends or families in homes

18 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

during the pandemic, they wanted decorative ones for retaining walls. it off to the side when it’s not in products nationally and globally
to make their own spaces outdoors They have portable tables, round use, he said. has also been tested to levels never
so they could have loved ones over bartop tables and more. Some have before seen, which has and can
to visit, or just to enjoy themselves. self-ignitors, “or you can light them He said his mission every year is to limit product availability on a wide
“I think people are putting more with a lighter,” Sabin said. Some find newer, upgraded items. range of products throughout the
money into their outdoor spots,” have a knob to turn on and off, so season.”
she said. they are child-proof. All products The season will soon be open at He said
She added that many visitors come usually sell equally. North Star Landscaping. L&M Supply
to “take a piece of the Northwoods “We sell out every year,” Sabin said. continues to
home with them.” The decorative tables are safe and L&M Fleet Supply work with
Every week, Northern Lakes Do It convenient for use, he said. L&M Fleet Supply north of town many sources
Best can put in special orders for “You just walk out and turn them is a supplier of fire tables, as well. to provide
items not in stock in the store. on,” he said. “You can run it for 10 Category Manager Eric Serven quality
North Star Landscaping & minutes or 10 hours.” said the store carries a few models products for all
Garden Center North Star does offer wood- of campfire rings, some wood- its customer
Just off Highway B is the North Star powered tables, he said, but the burning fire pits and a model or needs.
Landscaping & Garden Center, gas-powered tables are the bigger two of LP fire table-style units,
which has been offering the sellers. along with several other outdoor Fire
outdoor fire tables for about six North Star also carries the living products from a variety of Column
years. traditional portable wood fire manufacturers.
Owner Rod Sabin said, “We carry a barrels, and the installed block fire
gamut” of these tables. rings. “Throughout the pandemic,
North Star carries round, square “The beauty about a portable fire consumers have focused
and rectangular tables, and barrel” is that you can simply move more on their homes and yard
maintenance/home experiences,
which has drawn sales to all
things outdoor living,” Serven
said. “However, on the flip side,
the demand for outdoor living

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 19

The sky’s the limit with

backyard
kitchens

Tom LaVenture

Price County Review

20 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

715-316-3607Call Eli,“the shed guy” 37973 State Highway 13
Highbridge, WI 54846

God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. John 3:16

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 21

Many homeowners have embraced the trend of tailoring a deck,
patio or a backyard to fit their needs, going beyond the standard
grill and Adirondack chairs to create an outdoor dining and
entertainment experience.

New technology and materials allow people to put a kitchen
outdoors to reduce the heat and smells of cooking inside. There
are also improvements for outdoor decorations and electronics for
improved lighting and sound in the yard.

Contributed photos The limitations are budget, space and fireplaces and pizza ovens.
Workers with Kai Richards Home imagination. Increasingly popular options “A lot of them are a combination of projects
Improvements build a combination include custom-built outdoor kitchens or with a fireplace and a pizza oven,” Richards
outdoor pizza oven and fireplace on grills and brick pizza ovens, along with said. The materials vary from the type of brick
the back patio of a client’s home in outdoor fire pits or fireplaces. Moving the or stone, he said. Cost is relative in terms of
cooking and entertaining outdoors can help the space and the project but it’s “not a very
2021. reduce energy use inside the home. It can also inexpensive thing to do,” he said.
be convenient to do more outdoors in the “There is usually an entertaining area because
Cuisinart Portable summer. it’s kind of a focal piece and there is usually
Wood Pellet Grill and “It’s usually not connected to the house, per some kind of art piece,” Richards said. “I think
se,” said Kai Richards of Kai Richards Home it’s just based on the customer because, really,
Smoker Improvements in Park Falls. everybody has their own vision of what they
The brick or stone projects typically involve want and of course that is always evolving.”
creating an L-shaped kitchen, grill or pizza Customers vary in their needs and the
oven just off the patio, he said. Others may properties are also all different, he said. People
just want to entertain and add an outdoor are typically inspired by another project or
fireplace somewhere in the yard. something they saw online.
“It’s their entertaining area where they have “I design it and lay it all out for them,”
family and friends over,” Richards said. “It’s Richards said. “We start with what they want
(the oven) is usually pretty inexpensive to use to do and then look at a budget that they’re
as far as gas or whatever they’re going to use comfortable with.”
as far as burning. Some of them are wood or Customers are involved with choosing the
coal burning pizza ovens.” brick or stone but beyond that some are into
Richards has been a mason for 16 years in every detail while others just wait to see the
Wisconsin and down south. He has noticed an finished result, he said.
increase in jobs to build outdoor barbecues, Costs are significant, but perhaps not as
high as many people might expect. Projects
that offer something significant, such as a
brick grill or pizza oven, can start at around
$5,000 and go up from there, he said. Masonry
materials are expensive and the pandemic has
tripled the costs of some materials along with
shortages, he said.

For homeowners who want to improve on
a smaller budget, there are some exciting
products and materials out there to consider,
said Tyler Harper, owner of Phillips Lumber &
Hardware.

22 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods

Wood pellet grills are popular for the ability to “I’ve seen some and we have access to it, but we important but so are the right tongs and
control the fuel, and the variety of woods allows don’t stock it,” Harper said. spatulas.
the grill to double as a smoker. Most outdoor kitchens projects start with “Now they’ve got wireless meat thermometers,
a concrete patio and from there it’s about where you plug it in and you don’t have to open
Composite deck materials were becoming choosing landscape blocks and other the grill, per se, and you can just look at the
popular even before the wood shortages of the materials and appliances, he said. It’s up to the gauge that stays outside the grill,” he said.
pandemic, Harper said. The composites are homeowner to decide on the overall footprint Looking online is a good place to get ideas, he
strong and last longer, don’t need to be stained of a simple or a full-fledged deck. said. Put a sketch together for the builder for
and clean up with just soap and water. “How big of a project do you want to do?” he the next step on planning and preferences on
said. “Do you just want to do a small patio design, style and materials.
“It seems like people are really leaning towards for when your in-laws come up and have just
Trex composite decking,” Harper said. “It’s enough room to sit around? Or are you going Trex Composite
definitely not cheaper but it lasts longer and it’s to have a full fledged barbecue for everyone on Decking
less maintenance.” your block to come over?”
The little things also make for a
Local stores don’t carry much high end brick good summer barbecuing
or block materials but will special order for experience, Harper said.
customers when possible, he said. If the cost is Choosing the shelving,
higher then consider the transportation costs counters, chairs and tables are
of bringing those materials from out of town
stores, he said.

24 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 25

Bali Marigold

Spring KathyHanson
Sawyer County Record

2022: maximizing your
planting and gardening
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28 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 29

Dragon Wing Begonia Anticipation for spring is high
this year after winter weather
in Wisconsin hung on into mid-
March. The forecast for spring
2022 is for a wetter, warmer one.

One wonders, given all the
weather extremes throughout
the country, if all of this doesn’t
influence what we should be
planting and growing.

We talked to some experts to get
their opinions.

Lori Butala, co-owner of Nature’s Designs,
a garden center and landscaping business
located in a woodsy setting two miles east
of Hayward on Highway B, said the trend for
expansive perennial gardens—requiring a lot of
time, energy and money—is disappearing.

“This is no longer the case for a number of
reasons: an aging population, the cost of plant
material, and losing perennials to the deer, for
starters,” said Butala.

Butala said her suggestion for annuals this year
is to investigate the most vigorous varieties if
you wish to keep your budget in check. 

“Annuals continue to rise in cost due to labor
and heating fuel cost increases. If you have
ever attended one of our potting parties, you
have heard us suggest planting fewer plants
per pot. We grow many larger varieties to
keep budgets in check (both residential and
commercial) when sprucing up the landscape. 
Here are some of her specific suggestions:

• Bali marigolds grow to about 30” tall and
24” wide. Enduroscape Verbena grow to 12”
tall and 24” wide. It comes in a number
of fabulous colors and can handle wind
and heat. Blanket Petunias and Vista
Petunias require no deadheading and
come in a number of colors. Waves are not
the only petunias that free you from dead
heading.

• Most coleus are now hybridized to handle
sun or shade, and many such as Red Head,
Wasabi and Inferno grow extremely large. A
beautiful coleus alone in a pot looks great.

30 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

Photos submitted EARLY SPRING
GARDENING
The Winter CHECKLIST
greenhouses shade
display garden leads ( from the Winter Greenhouse)
to the customer entrance
of the Winter Greenhouse. • Clean up. Remove any leaves and debris
Co-owners of Nature’s Designs, Lori Butala (left) that have accumulated over the winter;
and Kathy Kisch, stay up to date on new plant cut back any remaining grasses and
introductions for spring. perennials and remove any mounded soil
or mulch from your roses.
• Vigorous SunPatiens and Big Bounce blooming in July and come in a number of
Impatiens grow to about 30” tall and bloom colors, according to Butala. • Cut back Annabelle Hydrangea to the
wide. They help you fill the back of a Ninebarks, Goldheart Dicentra and Sun ground. Other Hydrangea varieties need a
large pot or add color to a border.  King Aralia are also great for color and pruning and the remaining flower heads
foliage. sheared off.
• In begonias, the dragon wing was often “Large perennials provide a shrub-size look
the black sheep, but not today. The at a perennial price,” said Butala. • Prune out any damaged, broken wood
Whopper series has 3-inch blooms on As for climate change and its influence in from trees and shrubs. Pruning can be
a plant that grows approximately 30” gardening, Butala said recent winters have done anytime before bud break, especially
by 30.” provided ample snow insulation to allow on roses. Prune spring blooming plants
planting more Zone 4 varieties. after they finish blooming, i.e., forsythia,
“The great thing about vigorous varieties, “After 20 years in this business though, last lilacs, azaleas, magnolias.
is that they make you look like a gardening fall we had some lilacs and rhododendron
superstar,” Butala said.  reblooming in the fall. I love blooms but it • Heaving. Any plants that may have
Nature’s Designs also uses a lot of roses, was an eerie sign that things are changing,” heaved out of the ground (particularly
and Butala recommends the Easy Elegance Butala said. Coral Bells) should be replanted as soon
series which provides blooms from late as possible. Carefully lift the plant, re-dig
spring through the first snowfall. Winter Greenhouse is a garden center and the planting hole and replant.
“People are often afraid of growing roses, nursery located near Hayward in Northern
but the trick is to feed them. They want to Wisconsin. It was started in 1984 and Jim • Fertilize using Start N Grow fertilizer
eat first thing in the spring and be fed every Wilson, the current general manager, has (19-6-12) or organic Sustane (8-2-4).
two weeks until mid-August. It’s a simple been there since that time. Apply to all trees, shrubs and perennial
sprinkle of granules and they will reward Wilson said there are seven greenhouses, beds after the ground thaws. Follow label
you with an abundance of color,” Butala covering one-half acre (under cover) and instructions. Use Azalea, Rhododendron
said, recommending Superhero (red), another one-half acre outside. & Camellia Food—slow release for
Sunrise Sunset (pink/yellow/coral), and He recommends planting in larger blueberries, rhododendrons and azaleas.
Pinktopia (soft pink) as favorites, drifts—”avoid onesies and twosies,” he said, Apply Rose Tone fertilizer to rose bushes.
She also recommends smaller profile “to avoid looking too busy, and plan your
blooming shrubs that fit into a garden flower garden with succession of bloom in • Bonemeal. Apply to all blooming plants,
setting but require less effort. These bulbs, perennial beds, shrubs, ornamental
include smaller hydrangeas, such as Wee and fruit trees. This promotes stronger
White, Little Hottie, Little Quickfire and root growth, good color and sturdy stems.
Little Tidbit. These hydrangeas begin
• Elemental Sulfur. Apply to acid-loving
April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods plants, such as blueberries, azaleas and 31
rhododendrons. Gently work into the top
one inch of soil around the plants. This
keeps the pH lowered. This product is not
a fertilizer.

• Dormant oil spray. Apply to scale-
infected fruit trees and bushes. Do this in
very early spring.

• Spray animal deterrents. Do this
early in the season. Repeat applications
as recommended on the manufacturer’s
label.

Home | Garden | Outdoor Living

Ninebarks

mind and according to your micro climate,” • Woodland natives, layering them with Wilson said he believes the science of climate
which he explained has to do with exposure, other perennials and shrubs for later change and has observed changes in this part
whether you are protected in the city, or interest. of Wisconsin.
whether you are near a lake—especially a big
body of water. • Plant more trees. They remove carbon “At the end of the 70s and in the 80s there
dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the was always about a 10-day stretch of 30 to 40
Wilson said don’t plant lots of different trees and soil and releasing oxygen into the degrees below zero F sometime in January-
plants—it looks too busy and detracts from atmosphere. February. For the last 25 years we haven’t had
the harmony of it all. that,” he said.
• New perennials to be excited about: Daylily Winters have not been as severe or as long as
His suggestions for spring planting include: “Lies and Lipstick”; Heuchera “Cherry they were in the early 80s, said Wilson, adding
Truffles”; Peony “Many Happy Returns.” that if the trend continues, maybe we can
• Azaleas and Forsythia for early color in look forward to growing some reliably hardy
part shade. • New annuals of note: Dahlia “Megaboom Blue Hydrangeas, Japanese Maples, and more
Fire”; Petunia “Hell’s Forge”; Verbena “Lanai sensitive roses.
• Bulbs (purchased and planted in the fall) Twister Hot Lips”; Coleus “El Brighto.”
bring early color.

32 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

Forsythia

“Snow cover protects and insulates. An early Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, • If there is an opportunity to limit snow
hard freeze with no snow means we lose plants, Division of Forestry shared a few tips from blowing and drifting by establishing a
and extreme temperatures and their duration Jeremiah Auer, Regeneration Specialist. windbreak along a driveway or field edge,
determine if plants survive,” he said. • A forestry planting does not need to be these can make snow removal in the winter
To receive the Winter Greenhouse free catalog, simpler and limit erosion.
visit them online or call 715-200-5430. large to provide a benefit. Look around your
property and examine what is present and, • Brighten your properties with Black Cherry,
most importantly, what isn’t. Choke Cherry, Ninebark, Dogwoods and
• There might be a wonderful stand of Basswood—all native trees and shrubs—
hardwoods but without any thermal cover that produce a desired flower for pollinators
(think conifers) songbirds that might be (bees) in the spring. They are also
interested in roosting or staying warm in dependable and produce year after year.
the winter or building nests in the summer
will not be as apt to be around. A clump of • Take a walk in the woods and view the forest
25 or more white pine or white spruce might in the spring. Listen to it as well. “A summer
provide just the right habitat for them to breeze winding through the soft needles of
better use your property. a white pine has a more ‘whooshing’ noise
• If your woodlot is full of mature trees but than the clackety-clack of an aspen with
has very few shrubs or forest floor fauna, its flat petioles and half-dollar sized leaves.
consider removing some mature trees to And, of course, oaks would sound altogether
allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor. different, Auer said.”

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 33

Greener on Lawns, in all their lush, green
the other side American glory, are a relatively
new invention.
of the fence
Swaths of low-grass lawns
Organic lawn care practices apparently originated in
benefit environment, 17th-century Europe, which
pocketbooks possessed a climate suited
to the grasses, sprouting up
Michelle Jensen at wealthy estates, stated the
Natural Planet Resource Center.
Rice Lake Chronotype Not that the rich cut the grass
themselves, they had laborers to
mow and weed for them.

In the aftermath of World War
II, lawns began to flourish in
the U.S. and they soon became a
suburban fixture, especially after
rotary lawn mowers, pesticides
and fertilizers, and easy-to-use
spreaders became available.

34 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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Photo submitted
Organic lawns, including pollinator
varieties, can appear conventional.

Resources

Books: “Nature’s Best Hope”
and “Bringing Nature Home”
by Douglas W. Tallamy.

However, the eye-pleasing, verdant lawns that In 2018 Nied set out on his own to Websites: gotrulyorganic.com,
are now all but a homeowner requirement establish Safe & Simple Organic Lawns, planetnatural.com.
come at an environmental and financial cost providing lawn care and landscape
from loss of pollinator habitat to billions spent design, installing pollinator lawns, Grant Opportunities:
annually on watering and mowing. adding legumes, planting different native HealthyLakesWI.com.
wildflowers in grass lawns and using
But that doesn’t mean lawns can’t be other techniques to reduce toxicity and Adding pollinating flowers to a lawn can be
reimagined — and that’s where Anthony Nied, maintenance expense. simple — Nied sells do-it-yourself kits online to
owner of Safe & Simple Organic Lawns that customers around the U.S. An example of his
operates from Eau Claire to Rice Lake, comes Pollinator lawns bee lawn introduces Dutch white clover.
in.
Nied knows of a variety of ways to organically “Dutch white clover is a nitrogen fixer,” he said.
‘There had to be a better maintain lawns and landscape, from “It replaces your fertilizer 100%. Every time I go
way’ boulderscaping and xeriscaping to letting to my customer’s house and get them to convert
Mother Nature take her course. to a pollinator lawn I lose a customer. I’m not
Nied has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from But one of his passions lies with re-establishing sad about it. I go to get another customer to
UW-Eau Claire but after rediscovering his love habitat for pollinators so they can do their convert.”
of wildlife and the outdoors, he returned to job spreading pollen so plants can get busy
Chippewa Valley Technical College to earn an reproducing. The lawns also can be maintained at normal
associate’s degree in horticulture. The loss of sweeping green spaces to individual mowing height and resemble a conventional
lawns has fragmented conservation efforts, tract of green.
The 37-year-old became a manager for an Eau straining the survival of wildlife. Nied noted
Claire lawn care company that used a five- that Douglas W. Tallamy, author of “Nature’s “This lawn does not need any fertilizer,” he said.
step synthetic lawn care regimen. But the new Best Hope” and “Bringing Nature Home,” said “It does not need any irrigation. It is still very
father became disillusioned with conventional if everyone took half of their lawn space and pleasing to the eye. You wouldn’t even be able
means to maintaining lawns. He couldn’t hug converted it back to natural space, it would to tell the difference if you’re driving by.”
his newborn immediately after coming home comprise more than all of the U.S. national
because he was dowsed in chemicals from head parks combined in area. Cultivating a strategy
to toe, and he suffered from respiratory issues, “We’ve disturbed over 95% of the U.S. as natural
headaches and sinus trouble. habitat,” Nied said. Nied helps homeowners discover and create
However, if homeowners created their own their organic lawn dreams, and he has a simple
“There had to be a better way,” he said. little wildlife habitats, pollinators, birds and recommendation for where to begin.
other species could survive much more easily.
Nied studied everything on organic lawn care “Start by canceling any chemical company you
he could get his hands on, and he and the have, especially if you live near a river,” he said.
company he worked for became converts.

36 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 37

Homeowners can consult with Nied even before Fast Facts:
they begin plotting their future home on their
property. At one building site, he recommended tall • 59 million pounds of
grass prairie encircled by wildflowers over a septic pesticides are used
mound, and a clover lawn by the fruit tree orchard each year to keep lawns
to fertilize and attract much-needed pollinators. “neat.”
It all depends on what a homeowner needs and
wants, he said, plus light and soil conditions, • Americans spent $105
slopes, and moisture. It also helps to consult with billion in 2020 to
neighbors, to ensure they understand the plan. maintain lawns.
For Nied, homeowners don’t need to follow
conventional lawn wisdom, “especially when it can • Nearly three billion
be so much more.” gallons of gas were used
in 2018 to maintain
Photo submitted lawns, equating to
Safe & Simple Organic Lawns offers 26.7 million tons of
pollutants.
organic lawn care services.
• There is an estimated
38 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 50 million acres of
turfgrass in the United
States.

Source: Anthony Nied.

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 39

Rising up
Gardening gets off the ground
Peter J. Wasson
Ashland Daily Press

40 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

Dana King started building raised “The herb gardens, they’re about 4 feet by and easier for harvesting. You also have
garden boxes for his own use, planting 3 feet, and you can actually move them less rodents and rabbits and stuff getting
around,” King said. “A lot of people like to in and eating everything. And it’s easier to
vegetables with his wife on their own grow their own herbs, and you can bring control the weeds. You can use landscape
land. them in in the winter to make'em last fabric to keep the weeds out. But mainly,
longer, and they only need about 8 inches at our age, they save wear and tear on
Then his kids wanted some. Then of soil to grow. Vegetable beds obviously your back.”
his neighbors. Now, the retired need a lot more than that.”
Home vegetable gardening has seen a Online resources abound for do-it-
Solon Springs woodworker is taking resurgence in recent years mirroring yourselfers who have the woodworking
advantage of the surge in popularity of other back-to-basics hobbies — knitting, skills and time to make their own raised
raised planters and has started his own baking, camping, mushroom-gathering beds. Would-be gardeners also can turn to
cottage industry, manufacturing herb and more. craftsmen like King, who can make beds
King and his wife got into raised-bed to order. Those with intermediate skills
gardens, flower planters and raised gardening for a very simple reason. can buy kits — as basic as brackets to use
vegetable beds and selling them on “If you build them off the ground, like up with your own lumber, or as complex as
on legs off the ground, you don’t have to pre-made synthetic boards with built-in
social media markets. bend over,” he said. “It’s easier for planting fencing to keep deer and other critters
out.

42 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

Contributed photos All offer the same basic advantages over in-the- The downside of raised beds? Mainly just the cost.
1: Dana King of Solon ground gardening: Containers can pretty much be as expensive or as
Springs began making • Containers allow gardeners to use pre-packaged cheap as the gardener likes. Frugal gardeners can
raised garden beds for his build containers using pallet lumber, available for
own use, mainly because soil rather than trying to add fertilizer, peat, free at many retailers — a favorite of DIYers.
at 3 feet off the ground, compost and other amendments, trying to get “If you can get scrap lumber and nail it together you
they spare his back from the mixture just right — which can be especially can get started pretty cheap,” King advised. “For the
the pain of bending over difficult in some of the hard-clay soil common in bottom you want to use something that won’t rot too
to tend. Today he makes the Northwoods. fast. So you use fabric on the bottom, or even metal,
them for friends and • Because the soil in a raised bed is off the ground so the wood isn’t sitting in water. I use cedar because
family members, and sells and well-drained, it typically warms up and dries it’s rot-resistant, but it is pretty expensive.”
them on social media out quickly in the spring, allowing for earlier King and his wife started pretty basic at their former
planting. “Another thing too is, the depth doesn’t home.
marketplaces. need to be to China. That makes it easier to “The raised beds I made were 3 feet by 8 feet, with
2: King uses cedar, maintain. It’s just like a big pot,” King said. legs 3 feet off the ground,” he said. “We had four of
which is rot-resistant but • Not only are raised beds harder for rabbits to them, but you can start smaller and you can use
expensive, for his beds. invade, as King said. Other pests like slugs aren’t plywood instead of lumber. The price of lumber has
DIYers can get started likely to climb walls, and raised beds are easier to gone up so much.”
with scrap lumber or even cover with netting or fences to keep deer away. Now, in their new home, King mostly is making
the wood from discarded • As King said, raised beds require less weeding planters and gardens for other folks. But he remains
because weeds can’t spread from the lawn. a fan.
shipping pallets. • You don’t have to worry about compacting “It keeps me busy – something to do while I’m
3: Even raised beds that the soil with your feet, reducing air, water and retired, to keep me from getting bored,” he said.
are at ground level offer nutrient flow to plants, when walking around “I’ve made them for the kids, and some other people
many advantages over raised beds. started asking for larger ones now. They are sure
planting in the ground. • Apartment-dwellers should ask first, but popular, and they’re a good way to make a garden.”
landlords are more likely to allow tenants to put
They make it easier to raised beds in the yard then they are to allow a
control the soil and dug-in garden. And tenants can take raised beds
nutrients, harder for with them when they move.

rabbits and other pests to • Raised beds can be placed in areas that get the
invade and they generally most sun.

require less weeding. • Novice gardeners can start with one or two raised
beds and add more as they progress.

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 43

Retreat into The concept of a yurt dates back to nomads in Mongolia and
a yurt at Russia, who fashioned gers (the Mongolian term for a yurt). The
Namekagon gers were portable, round tents covered with skins or felt and
used as dwellings.

The old Turkish word yurd, which signified a homeland, became

Waters yurt, and in the modern era, these tents are still used by those
seeking homes or a getaway.
Getting away
By Regan Kohler

Spooner Advocate

44 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 45

Photo by Regan Kohler A yurt sits right here in the woods just outside proximity to nature and the Namekagon River,
Yurt living room of Spooner and Trego, at the residence of Jim Jim and Kathy thought about opening a bed
and Kathy Shattuck, which they rent out year- and breakfast. However, the family that owned
Kathy Shattuck (pictured) round to people from all walks of life. the schoolhouse passed it on to other family
and her husband, Jim, built Jim is a retired teacher, now a massage members, so the Shattucks decided to go a
therapist, and Kathy recently retired from different route.
the yurt in 2021. Northwind Book & Fiber. The two are avid “I had been in a yurt” while out in California for
outdoorspeople. They built the yurt in 2001. workshops, said Jim.
“We always had our family reunion here,” Kathy He did some research and realized there was a
said of their home. “We had 10 of them.” minimal impact on labor and the environment
The former Riverside schoolhouse is adjacent with this concept. Thus, he and Kathy began
to the Shattucks’ property, and with the constructing their future business, which is
called Namekagon Waters Retreat.

46 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

Contributed
Namekagon Waters Retreat’s yurt sits
on 40 acres of property owned by the

Shattuck family in Trego.

Photo by Regan Kohler
Outhouse
The privy next to the yurt, Kathy said, gets
a lot of compliments on how nice it is.

The process rezoned and have tests for the outhouse and electricity, along with water the Shattucks
building codes, which was a smooth process, haul up the hill themselves, and people book
“Everything was in threes,” Jim said of building Kathy said. They have smoke detectors and a vacations to Namekagon Waters Retreat year-
the yurt. “The yurt itself went up in three days.” CO2 monitor for additional safety inside the round. One couple came from Chicago when it
The preparation took longer, with three weeks yurt. was 30 degrees below zero because they loved
to put in the foundation and floors, then raise The yurt is 24 feet in diameter, and the structure winter camping.
the structure, and three months to finish and itself was purchased from Pacific Yurts out of “Winter is my busiest season,” Kathy said.
build the deck, outhouse and stove. Their son, Oregon, who were extremely helpful, Jim said.
Tom, helped them raise the structure, and they
had a few friends help lay the floor. “They have a great instruction book, too,” said The amenities
“Otherwise, we pretty much did it ourselves,” Kathy.
Jim said. Originally, the yurt was heated by a gas Inside, the yurt has a full-size bed, a futon, a
The Shattucks also had to get their land stove, but it burned too much propane, so dining area, a hot plate and some dishes, a
they switched to wood. The yurt does have ceiling fan, a radio and music system along

48 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication

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April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living 49

50 Northwoods Home | Garden | Outdoor Living Photo by Regan Kohler
Margaret the Mannequin “has been part of our
family for a long time,” jokes Kathy of one of the
Zen garden’s dwellers.

Contributed
All ages enjoy the Zen garden at Namekagon
Waters Retreat, complete with a Buddha statue.

with CDs, books and magazines, WiFi, a bean bag chair
that doubles as another bed, games and puzzles and
décor from the family’s travels around the world. A lot of
the decorations have been donated by friends and former
guests. There are log books people can sign, as well.
Though there is no refrigerator, people bring coolers, and “in
the winter time you can just heat ( food) in the stove,” Kathy
said.
A dome in the roof opens up so fresh air can come in,
and the windows have coverings that can be raised and
lowered. Kathy added that they updated the roof, dome and
sidewalks this past fall.
There are no shower facilities, but there is a sauna on the
property, with an outdoor private area with a showerhead so
people can bathe.
“The sauna woodstove was designed by Veikko Tirronen
(of Finland),” said Kathy, adding that his daughter was an
exchange student in Spooner. “We’ve had the sauna since
1990.”
People park in the driveway in the summer and bring their
luggage up via sleds, with Jim riding ahead to pack the
snow down on his snowmobile. The path is lighted for night
walking.
“That’s how we get the water up there,” he said, adding that
this is probably the hardest part of having the yurt, along
with shoveling 14 inches of snow off its roof and deck.
The yurt has other nearby amenities, as well. The Shattucks
removed their pool and built a Zen garden. There is a pond
that frogs like to hang out in, a temple you can sit in, sand
you can rake similar to the Japanese meditation form and
a gong and Buddha statue. The guests can enter the garden
after using the sauna through a tory gate, which is an
opening into the spiritual world, Kathy said.
In the summer, she added, when people bathe under the
showerhead, it looks like a “tropical rain zone.”

April 2022 | An APG-WI Regional Publication