Coastal Home & Garden 2026 — A Special Publication by Coastal Point by CoastalPointNewspaper

home garden and ’26 C O A S T A L

A special publication of the Coastal Point

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In this issue… ere’s something about the arrival of Fall that makes us see home in a new light. As summer winds down and cooler days settle along the coast, we begin shifting our spaces, preparing for the season ahead and finding new ways to enjoy our region. In this edition of Coastal Home & Garden, we’re bringing you practical ideas, seasonal inspiration and a closer look at the people and places that make our community special. Get organized with tips for tackling the garage, discover creative solutions for firewood storage, and learn how a rain garden can add beauty while helping manage stormwater. Fall also brings plenty of opportunity to refresh outdoor spaces. Container gardening oﬀers inspiration for seasonal color,

while our story on household humidity explores an important and sometimes overlooked part of creating a comfortable home. Take a local getaway to Hobbs & Rose Cottage, explore our Fall calendar, and celebrate the creativity of our neighbors during the 30th anniversary Southeastern Delaware Artists Tour. Whether you’re tackling a project, planting something new or simply looking for new ideas, we hope this issue helps you make the most of your home and the season ahead.

Publisher

Susan Lyons susan.lyons@coastalpoint.com

Executive Editor

Darin McCann darin.mccann@coastalpoint.com

Taryn King Editor

Editor

Taryn King taryn.king@coastalpoint.com

Technical Director

Hobbs & Rose

Garage Organization

Shaun M. Lambert shaun.lambert@coastalpoint.com

Digital Content Editor

M. Patricia Titus patricia.titus@coastalpoint.com

Firewood Storage

Fall Calendar

Advertising Manager

Susan Mutz susan.mutz@coastalpoint.com

Reporters

Kerin Magill kerin.magill@coastalpoint.com

Hidden Moisture

Rain Gardens

Jason Feather jason.feather@coastalpoint.com Susan Canfora susan.canfora@coastalpoint.com Laura Walter laura.walter@coastalpoint.com

SEDAST

Container Gardening

Mike Stern mike.stern@coastalpoint.com

Advertising Sales

Jillian Stohr jillian.stohr@coastalpoint.com

On the cover: Bright fall colors and blue arched garden gate with willow arch. n Imagery supplied by wwing/iStock

Jessica Heppding jessica.heppding@coastalpoint.com

Graphic Design

Chris Aube chris.aube@coastalpoint.com

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

Hobbs & Rose Cottage: Where modern meets rustic charm

By Taryn King, Editor Photos Courtesy of Lisa Wilgus Locals know that our summers belong to the tourists. Memorial Day hits, and they descend on our coastal towns in waves to sit and enjoy our ocean waves. And while we welcome tourists with open arms and thank them for spending their well-earned dollars in our communities, some of us feel a bit of wistfulness that we don’t get to fully enjoy our region yearround. Many locals seek out those quiet places that haven’t been “discovered” yet, but I think we can all agree that those spots are getting fewer and farther between. A question that I’ve personally received many times from visitors is, “Where do you vacation when you already live at the beach?” While indeed a valid question, I won’t be answering it. I’m not about to disclose my favorite getaways to the masses. But there is a local hidden treasure that fills my heart with peace the moment I step onto the grounds, and it is one that deserves to be known to both lo-

cals and visitors alike. Halfway between Frankford and Dagsboro on Clayton Ave., right before the John M. Clayton Elementary School, sits a lovely brick house with wrought iron fencing and beautiful front gardens. To the everyday passerby, it’s an appealing home, there and gone again as they continue down the road. But turn in the driveway, and you’re immediately met with another, smaller brick building with a classical-style portico providing shade for the two welcoming rocking chairs and overflowing window boxes. is is the Hobbs & Rose Cottage greeting. e cottage functions primarily as an Airbnb, but the property and gardens are also available for small, intimate functions such as micro weddings, engagements, and other special events. For locals looking to slow down or reconnect with a loved one, this little cottage is a perfect getaway from the hustle-and-bustle of the beaches or everyday grind.

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Owner Lisa Wilgus and her husband, Larry, bought the original 3-acre property 18 years ago and currently live in the main house. While the original 1941 building that is now the cottage did exist at the time of their purchase, it needed work and a dream to bring it to life. According to Lisa, they “sat on this dream for a decade or more. Because I knew something had to be done with this beautiful place. You know, interior brick walls, all these exposed trusses in certain areas. I’m like, we’ve got to figure this out. And the tub was the first purchase, and it probably sat in this garage for eight years. My husband kept saying, ‘I’m going to yank that thing out with the Jeep.’ I said, ‘Nope, we’re going to do this one day.’” Surrounded by stunning gardens and secluded paths, the entrance to the cottage opens into a cozy sitting room with a TV and fireplace, adjacent to a kitchen with curly tiger maple countertops, a custom farmhouse sink, a snack Please turn to page 6

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

Continued from page 4 dough bowl, and the refrigerator staged with incoming guests’ favorite treats. A quick step into the bathroom and the showstopper floor-to-ceiling ornate mirror and carved marble soaking tub could easily make one wonder if Lisa’s background is actually in interior design, rather than her decades spent in hospitality roles ranging from director of catering to convention management at various wellknown hotels and establishments such as the Clarion, Atlantic Hotel, and Ashore. e cottage boasts two bedrooms: the main loft bedroom takes up the entire upstairs space with a massive king-sized bed and chaise lounge chair, while a smaller room with a double bed resides on the ground floor. But the star of this show is the Sanctuary. When the cottage renovations were originally completed, the building ended with the downstairs bedroom and a window that looked out onto a pergola-covered patio. What is there today stems from a bittersweet story that has become, in a large way, part of the “why” behind everything Lisa does with this beautiful space. A few years ago, “I had a single guest, and on Please turn to page 8

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Continued from page 6 her last day, she asked to see me before she left. And when I got there, she said, ‘I’m going to take you through the garden, and I’m going to do all the talking. I just want you to listen.’ And she tells me this story of how her daughter passed, and every year during the time that she passed, she goes to a diﬀerent Airbnb. And she said, ‘It wasn’t until I found this place that I really found my release, but what it lacks is a place that you can read and just take in nature’. It was like she gave me marching orders,” Lisa says with a tearful laugh. Only a few months later, the impact of this conversation with her guest would take on a much deeper meaning in the aftershock of Lisa’s own loss—her daughter, Abby, to fentanyl poisoning. “It was like—and this is how I know I’m still in this process of grieving and probably will be for the rest of my life—I just shifted right into that project when she passed. One of the things that I was driven by is how this place has been medicinal for me and my growth all along. But when she passed, I thought, I’m going to create a space in her honor.” And so, they built a three-sided enclosed Please turn to page 10

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

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Continued from page 8 space overlooking the back gardens exploding with life in the form of darting squirrels, songbirds, ducks, and butterflies. e room is full of greenery, succulents, comfy seating, books, games, and a desk for guests to write and journal. “I had a leather-bound journal made with her (Abby’s) story. And we want guests to leave a story too or say something, even if it’s just to encourage the next reader that picks it up. Or maybe it’s something that you found healing or release from while you were here. And that’s my ‘why’. In a market of Airbnbs, people would say it’s oversaturated, but we have found that if you find your why in doing this, you will always be busy, and money will always come when you put people first. So, we just look at it as a very sacred and intentional encounter for every person that comes here; they are supposed to be here,” says Lisa. e sanctuary doors open out onto a flagstone footpath that meanders and splits through multiple enchanting gardens, ponds, 100-yearold oak trees, and overlooks a community miniforest funded by a Center for Inland Bays grant. Beyond peaceful walks in the gardens, the outPlease turn to page 62

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

Wood’a, could’a,

should’a

Don’t’t’ put u it ut i oﬀ — make mak ake ak ke sure sur ure ur re your y ur yo u firewood fire fir rewo w od is stored sto t re to r d safely saf afe af fel ely ly By Darin J. McCann, Executive Editor Autumn provides a plethora of ammunition for the senses. Pumpkin spice infiltrates our tastebuds through any number of avenues, while decorations on homes and buildings create a carnival for the eyes and the unmistakable scent of smoke rises from people’s chimneys as they warm their homes from their fireplaces. Of course, that last one comes with a few inherent dangers as well. You know… fire, and everything. One danger that isn’t considered nearly enough is that which comes with the fuel for many of those cozy fires — firewood. And, for this exercise, the storing of said firewood. Delaware’s climate brings damp falls, cold-enough winters and humid summers, which puts an extra emphasis on storing this combustible safely. Let’s look at a few things to consider.

We’ve all heard those three words before when it comes to real estate, but it also matters when it comes to how to store your firewood. Many experts suggest storing your firewood anywhere from 10 to 30 feet away from your home, garage or any other wooden structure. And that’s for a few reasons. “Rodents and bugs like to live in and around piles of firewood, so it’s best not to store it too close,” according to the Cornell Cooperative Extension. “Many people store a small amount in or next to the house that they can draw from as needed and replenish regularly.” Of course, it’s not just rodents and bugs and other slithery horrors to consider when placing your firewood. ere’s also mold and wood-rotting fungi, which can move to your home if the pile is right there. And it can also be a fire hazard. While spontaneous combustion doesn’t naturally occur in firewood, it is a fuel — and fires from other sources can strike that wood pile and

escalate. You do not want that directly next to your home. Last May, right outside of Ocean View, a home caught on fire after a blaze began by spontaneous combustion in a mulch pile. e fire spread to a tree next to the house, then spread to the house. e fire ultimately spread to the garage, which ignited fireworks and escalated the fire that much more, according to state fire oﬃcials. Lesson learned here: Do not put anything that can spread a fire close to your home. Even if it isn’t the root cause, it can escalate a problem in a split second.

Air is our friend Allow for airflow when you stack your firewood. You want it to breathe, according to experts, and ideally it would be stored in a place that receives exposure to wind and sunlight. A sunny spot will help dry your wood, which is the ultimate goal, and we know critters and bugs enjoy

Location, location, location

CH &G

Please turn to page 14

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

n Stock photo

Continued from page 12 those cool, damp spots where they can thrive. Pack the wood loosely, to allow that room for breezes to flow through easily. e most-oﬀered suggestion we found online was to stack the wood loosely in parallel rows. An ideal fire log will have a moisture content of below 20 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its Best Wood Burning Practices. Start that drying-out process during the storage phase.

Get a hat Not for your head — though that’s not a bad idea, either. It’s important to cover your wood pile from the natural elements that can infiltrate your wood. Rain, snow and ice can all create problems later once they get into your firewood, so it’s best to cover it from nature’s assaults.

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Other general tips But only cover the top third of the pile. e University of Maine Cooperative Extension advises that you should leave the rest of the pile alone “to encourage proper air circulation, which prevents wood rot.” Enveloping the wood in plastic seals in moisture, which, as we’ve discussed, is bad for your firewood.

Our friends at the EPA oﬀered a series of general firewood storage tips, ranging from splitting to stacking to seasoning. • Split the firewood before stacking and storing, to decrease drying time; • Use a base to keep wood oﬀ the ground, to reduce pests and moisture;

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• Use a large enough roof so the overects the wood from f om rain and fr hang protects ou have hav a e a storage shed for av f r fo snow (if you wood); your firewood); • Slope the roof to prevent water collection; n wood for f r at least six months fo • Season ood and 12 months for f r hard fo for soft wood wood.

Flower bulbs to plant now for spring color Crocuses: e first tiny blooms to appear in spring. Plant bulbs 2 to 3 inches deep in sunny or partly shaded spots. Daﬀodils (Narcissus): Cheery yellow and white flowers that are deer and rabbit resistant. Plant them about 6 inches deep in well-drained soil. Hyacinths: e strong-scented stunners will typically bloom midspring. Plant them about 4 inches deep before the first hard freeze. Tulips: ese classic beauties are best planted in late October or November when soil temperatures drop below 60°F. Plant bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 inches apart in a sunny spot.

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

Wrap it up: Household humidity starts in the crawlspace By Laura Wa Walter W lte t r te Staff Reporter All right, it’s time to spend 10 minutes on a to-do list item that nobody wants to do, namely, anything related to a home’s crawl space. It’s often a bit claustrophobic and almost certainly hiding some kind of creepy crawly, right? A crawl space is a short area under the house, above the foundation, that provides access to household wiring or piping. Accurately named, there’s no room to stand, but it’s still accessible to anyone with working knees and a valiant spirit. It’s also the source of an insidious home problem that people often don’t notice right away: household humidity and mold. “It starts from the crawl space, up. en they look in their closet and start to see green in the closet,” said Pete Ciaramello, an expert in the field. It’s easy to forget about the crawlspace for long periods of time. “Out of sight, out of mind.” But “the foundation is the most important part of the home,” and a

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

oft f en points to bigft little mold upstairs often ger problems beyond the floorboard. “eir eyes are real big when I show ‘em what’s happening down there” on a free consultation visit. At Brasure’s Pest Control, Inc., sales manager Ciaramello’s team might prescribe encapsulation, mold remediation services (always ask for proof of certification!) and new humidifiers in the crawl space (somehow, not always included in new homes, even where encapsulation was automatically built in, which just causes staleness). “is is a coastal area, and the humidity is always gonna be high around here,” said Ciaramello. “And I want to educate people. I’m mostly concerned about people’s health … especially if they have

‘Water management is the most important part of that crawlspace.’ CH &G

V where they’re struggling to V, COPD, RSV, breathe… they’re breathing all the particles that come up through their vents, especially if they have ducts running through their crawl space.” Areas consistently at 65 percent humidity are a mold risk. “at goes for your upstairs living area too!” Open windows might cool a room naturally, but Delmarva’s high humidity will just collect water molecules on your furniture. “If they’re smelling musty smells in their house, because you have all that dead air down there … that’s a sign that something needs to be done.” When people notice water around the access well entrance, or if the crawl space ceiling insulation is falling down and stringy, “your humidity’s through the roof already.” at’s where crawlspace encapsulation comes in. Brasure’s learned this service about 13 years ago, since demand was high, and they already dealt in household dysfunction. Please turn to page 18

Continued from page 17 With encapsulation, “We’re sealing the crawl space for better humidity levels.” Companies will wrap a thick, white plastic polyethylene liner onto the floor and partway up the walls, then continue adding foam board or spray foam onto the walls. “We’re making it airtight … it’s just going to stop all that moisture that’s now getting into your home.” en they install a dehumidifier to circulate and freshen the air. “at is the cherry on top,” Ciaramello said. Encapsulation can improve home life. Energy bills should drop a bit when houses get an enclosed crawlspace system because overall household humidity and temperature would fluctuate less. Temperatures remain more stable when HVAC ductwork travels through the Please turn to page 20

If the crawl space ceiling insulation is falling down and stringy, you have a humidity problem. n Photo submitted

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Plastic polyethylene liner helps make the space airtight. n Photo submitted

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Continued from page 18 crawl space, and pipes are much less likely to freeze. Fully enclosed, families even use it for storage space. If so, professionals recommend choosing the thicker poly to accommodate more foot traﬃc. (And please store items in plastic containers, so mice don’t nibble through cardboard boxes, Ciaramello added.) Houses do usually come with a thin sheet of poly material on the ground, but it’s much thinner than what these remediation companies typically oﬀer. Plus, “it’s not encapsulated, so it’s just likely to trap water,” Ciaramello mused. is points back to mold, which is a major health risk. Also, “If you are close to the [coastline], I always recommend you do a French drain and a sump pump.” Both will grab water that still seeps in between the foundation and the new poly wrap. Companies will dig down along the perimeter, drop a perforated pipe covered with a “sock” around the whole area, and connect it to a pump that sends all the water out to a backyard pop-up drain, away from the immediate. (By the way, never drain anything into the canals or river, Ciaramello said. It’s illegal.) A tip when moving into a new home: ask if there’s a sump pump. Ciaramello has seen situations where home inspectors forget to tell clients about the equipment, so they had no idea it exists and needs to be maintained – until it fails and creates a huge, gross mess. “Do your due diligence. Get down there if you can. If you can’t, call us,” Please turn to page 22

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Continued from page 20 Ciaramello said. And he acknowledges, “People are scared to death. ey can’t get down there; they’re older. Most of them are scared of snakes … if it’s in bad shape, we can fix it. But you gotta be diligent about catching problems early.” Always check electric connections after big storms, to ensure the pumps and equipment are still operating. Special products can keep folks connected to their equipment to reduce physically crawling around to check it out. at includes sump pump disconnection alarms or Wi-Fi-enabled humidifier controls. Not every house needs encapsulation, so talk to the experts for their suggestions. Otherwise, keep an eye on high humidity, excessive moisture, or mold in the house, because it’s all connected.

Properly encapsulated crawl space can also create extra storage. n Photo submitted

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

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A Legacy in Color:

30 years of the Southeastern Delaware Artists Tour By Taryn King, Editor Photos courtesy of SEDAST 31 years ago, Sabie Carey participated in a fall arts and crafts show in Ocean City, MD, and realized it was a great way to introduce people to the local arts scene. Hailing from Delaware, Carey wanted to raise awareness of the art talent blooming in Lower Sussex and give these fulltime artists the opportunity to sell their work. But hosting another arts and crafts fair wasn’t quite what she had in mind. In 1995, Sabie Carey invited 6 fellow artists, 3 of whom are still members along with Carey, to start the first Southeastern Delaware Artists Tour (SEDAST). ese artists invited people into their studios and homes free of charge to see their arts and crafts, watch their process, and perhaps take home a new appreciation for the skills and expertise, if not a hand-crafted piece for their own collections. is grassroots eﬀort started small but strong, bringing in more than 400 people their first year. With a running start, this group hasn’t slowed one bit, and not even COVID-19 could put an end to their journey. ey took a brief pause during the pandemic, then picked back up and continued on their way. In 2000, the group decided to expand their art

awareness goals to include the future artists of Southeastern Sussex. During the tour, each artist would donate an original piece to be raffled off, with all proceeds going directly to the art education programs in the Indian River School District to help ease the sting of budget cuts. is tradition, known as ‘Art in the Hat’-e Tom & Pat Frey Memorial Raffle- has been carried on, and to date the group has raised close to $77,000 for the schools. Travis Bower, tour director and SEDAST artist, stated that these funds go towards art curriculum, assistive technology, and sometimes basic supplies. “ere’s an art teacher who is one of the first to put in her classroom request every year but is always quick to say that she’s happy with whatever we can give. We tell her, ‘You’re not asking for enough! We’re going to get you that and then some.’ We do our absolute best to support them.” According to Bower, these last few years they’ve really been focused on trying to bridge the gap between local artists and the schools they serve, giving Selbyville Middle School as a prime example. “Selbyville Middle has an afterschool art program organized by their art teacher Laurie Hall, and some of our artists are going in and helping out. We’re doing as much as we can to generate interest in the arts for future artists.” In March of 2023, the organization filed for nonprofit status to make their

Laura Hickman’s pastel, ‘Sun and Fog.’ n Photo submitted

school donations more eﬃcient. Additionally, most of the group artists are individually involved in other local area art groups such as Gallery One, e Rehoboth and Ocean City Art Leagues, Developing Artist Collaboration (DAC), teaching, and putting on shows. e group currently has 13 artists on the roster, a number which has fluctuated over the years, but never more than 16 or 17 according to Bower. “Some of the artists have been around from the beginning, like Sabie Carey, Laura Hickman, Ellen Rice, and Jen Carter, but it changes based on who’s interested. We do try to keep the group small just for tour logistics, and membership is juried. All our artists are very talented. We have painters, ceramic potters and sculptors, glassworks, and jewelry. And I work with wood.” Tom Frey, one of the founding members, and his wife Pat ran the SEDAST program for years; sadly, both passed in 2023 and 2024, respectively. “Tom was one of the first woodturners I saw,” Bower said, “and it got me interested. During the

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

pandemic, you know, we were all just looking for something to keep us grounded and sane. My wife (Mary Yeagley Bower and SEDAST member) bought me a lathe, and originally it was set up in her ceramic studio. About two years in, she finally says, ‘Your sawdust is messing with my glazes, so you need to find another space’. I now have a he-shed where I work,” he laughed. “I actually have one of Tom Frey’s lathes in my workshop and call it ‘Old Tom’ in tribute to him.” Travis Bower is the 2nd most recent member to join the SEDAST group. is year’s 30th anniversary tour will be held over two days, on November 14th and 15th. e tour is free and self-guided, which allows attendees to go at their own pace. If you’ve never participated, this is the year to remedy that. “Please, come check out the studios, watch demos, and meet our incredible group of artists,” said Bower. If you’d like to participate in the raﬄe, tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. Learn more at artstudiotour.com Please turn to page 26 Dawn Pierro creates jewelry in different mediums, including enamel, metal etching, silversmithing and beadwork. n Photo submitted

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Garage organization can improve functionality and safety

By Mike Stern Staff Reporter Your garage is a mess. It is virtually impossible to locate and retrieve items such as tools or beach chairs when you want to use them. But there is a solution. You can organize your garage by yourself or hire a company to do so. Garage organization can improve functionality and safety, and make it easier to store and locate items. A well-organized garage can also create a more attractive space. e decision to organize your home’s garage will provide ease of access to tools and equipment to make tasks easier and more eﬃcient. In addition, a clutter-free space reduces the risk of accidents and injuries by providing clear pathways and reducing fire hazards. Eﬀective organization techniques, such as vertical storage, can maximize available space to accommodate more items while avoiding overcrowding.

Why most garages fall apart Most garages do not fall apart because the homeowner lacks discipline, said Mike

Mattia, president of Lewes-based Atlantic Source. “ey fall apart because space was never given a system,” he said. “Builders hand over four walls, a slab, and maybe a wire shelf. Everything after that gets solved with plastic bins stacked on the floor. A professional system starts by getting every item oﬀ the concrete and up onto the walls and the ceiling, which is the single biggest change we make in any garage.” According to Mattia, that matters more in coastal Delaware than it would farther inland. “A garage in Sussex County is an unconditioned box that swings from freezing in January to well over a hundred degrees under the roof in August,” he said. “It does that within a few miles of salt air. Cardboard boxes absorb moisture straight up oﬀ a slab and collapse. A wire shelf sags the moment you put real weight on it. Bare concrete absorbs water and road salt, then spalls (chips) and pits (scar) as it freezes and thaws.” Mattia emphasized that the garage is the only room in the home that most people have quietly given up on. It is usually the largest single space they own,” he said. “When a homeowner walks

into a finished garage for the first time, the reaction is almost always the same. ey had no idea how big the room actually was.”

Considerations for your garage organization ere are a number of factors to consider when making decisions about garage organization. “Let’s start with the cars,” said Mattia. “You should measure where the vehicles actually sit, how the doors open, where the garage door track and opener travel, and how much depth you really have to work with. A system that looks great and forces you to park outside has failed. “Next, think about three zones instead of one,” Mattia added. “Wall-hung storage and cabinets handle the things you reach for weekly and keep the floor clear so you can sweep it out. e floor itself should stay as open as possible. And the ceiling is the most underused square footage in any garage. Overhead-mounted racks are the right home for everything you touch twice a year. So holiday bins, coolers, beach chairs and luggage go up there, and stay up. Just confirm your door track and opener clearance before anything gets

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

hung overhead. ove ” sur to think about load and anchorBe sure ing, said Mattia. “What are the shelves actually rated to hold, and how does the system attach to the fr fframing?” ami he said of questions to ask. “ storag “A storage system is only as strong as its connecti connection to the studs, and that is the part nobo nobody sees once it is installed.” e ne next item to consider is fit, said Mattia. “Deter “Determine or ask whether the system is being built to your garage or pulled oﬀ a shelf in standard widths,” he said. “Choosing oﬀ the shelf units leave dead space at every wall, window, and water heater. In fact, dead space in a garage is exactly where the clutter returns. Be sure to build in adjustability. e garage that holds strollers and beach gear today will hold golf clubs and tools in 10 years.”

Removing storage from the floor Mattia emphasized the importance of moving storage up oﬀ the garage floor and keeping cabinets closed, to keep dust and humidity oﬀ tools and seasonal items. “A properly coated floor seals the slab so

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

n Photo Courtesy of Lorene and Tom Tompros

moisture and salt never get into the concrete in the first place,” he said. “ose decisions are what protect the space long term. “On the floor is where we would tell homeowners to be the most careful,” added Mattia. “Be skeptical of anyone advertising a one-day garage floor. Two things determine whether a coating lasts:

e first is prep. e concrete has to be mechanically grounded, and any cracks and spalls should be repaired before a drop of product goes down. e slab has to be primed so the coating has something to grab.” e second item to ensure a lasting Please turn to page 32

Continued from page 31 floor coating is cure time, said Mattia. “A coating can feel dry to the touch within hours, but drying and curing are not the same thing,” he said. “e chemical bond to the concrete keeps developing for days after that. Manufacturers’ cure specifications for these systems call for roughly a week before you put vehicle weight on them.” at is why Atlantic Source builds its floors as a two-day installation, with high humidity potentially stretching the timeframe even longer — an important consideration during hot and humid coastal summers. “We then ask homeowners to keep their vehicles oﬀ the floor for seven days,” he said. “It is less convenient than the oneday pitch. It is also the diﬀerence between a floor that is still bonded in Year 10 and one that lifts and peels where the tires sit.”

Designs and features to consider

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ere are many designs and features to consider as part of garage organization. Locally, garages can take a beating. Humidity in the summer, and salt air and road salt in the winter can take their toll. If you are planning a garage organization, be sure to specify use of materials that can withstand the heat, the cold and everything in between. You can choose from a variety of designs, including custom cabinets, slatwall and track storage, overhead ceiling racks, work benches and optionally epoxy floors. e layout can be built to your exact walls, or how you plan to use the space. e ideas can be tied together into a cohesive plan, including zones for parking, and a workshop that enables use of every square foot. • Custom cabinets and shelving are available in durable, moisture-tolerant finishes with locking doors, deep drawers and adjustable shelves that keep tools and chemicals out of sight. Be sure that cabinets and shelving are designed to handle coastal humidity, salt air and winter road salt, which are hard on builder-grade garages. Be sure to insist on moisture-tolerant cabinet finishes and steel slatwall and brackets that are rated for real weight. at will enable the system to remain solid Please turn to page 34

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

n Photo Courtesy of Lorene and Tom Tompros

Continued from page 32 and look attractive for many years, and avoid swelling, peeling or sagging. Cabinets are tailored to fit the space and style, and are built with durability and functionality. You can choose from a variety of ma-

terials, finishes and hardwood options to match the home’s decor. • Full-wall slatwall and track systems are solutions that can be ordered with hooks, baskets and brackets to safely hold bikes, ladders, sports gear and yard tools oﬀ the floor and make them easy to re-

arrange. • Heavy-duty overhead ceiling-mounted racks can reclaim overhead space for tote bags, seasonal decor, ladders and bulky gear over vehicles ey can handle substantial weight, be mounted into the ceilPlease turn to page 36

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Continued from page 34 ing framing, and be installed on their own or as part of a larger garage organization. • Workbenches with solid surfaces provide storage and can be sized to the bay, providing space for projects, repairs and a vise with power and lighting planned in. • Flake epoxy floor coating on garage floors will resist hot vehicle tires and make the area easier to clean.

When is the best time to organize your garage? According to Mattia, fall is the best time to organize your garage. “Wintertime is when the cars actually need to come inside, and the holidays are when the storage demands are peak,” he said. From start to finish, most homeowners are looking at three-to-five weeks from the first conversation to a finished garage, said Mattia. “e storage side installs faster than most people expect,” he said. “A typical garage storage system goes in over a single day, and a larger whole garage build may take two days. e floor coating is a twoday process, and high humidity can extend that timeframe.” e cost of a garage organization system varies, depending on how much of the garage you are addressing. “A focused wall storage project on one or two walls generally runs in the $2,000 to $4,000 range,” said Mattia. “A full custom cabinet system with counter space and overhead storage typically lands between $5,000 and $12,000. A floor coating for a standard two-car garage generally runs $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the condition of the existing slab and how much prep work and repair it needs. “A complete garage transformation with cabinets, wall systems, overhead racks and a coated floor is usually a $10,000 or more project,” he noted. “Because every garage is diﬀerent, we quote after we have measured the space, rather than oﬀ of a price sheet.” Atlantic Source is a locally owned and operated company based in Lewes that serves Sussex County. ey can be reached by phone at (302) 645-5207 or by email at info@atlanticsource.net.

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2026 Fall Calendar What: Dagsboro Community Night When: October 1 Where: Dagsboro Fire Hall https://dagsboro.delaware.gov/events/dags boro-community-night/ What: Rehoboth Beach Scarecrow Trail & Show When: October 1 - 31 Where: Rehoboth Businesses https://www.beach-fun.com/scarecrowcontest.html What: Wings & Wheels Fall Festival When: October 2 - 3 Where: Delaware Coastal Airport wings-wheels.com What: Boast the Coast Maritime Festival When: October 3, 11am - 2pm Where: Downtown Lewes leweschamber.com What: Endless Summer Cruisin’ When: October 8 - 11 Where: Ocean City, MD specialeventpro.com/endless-summercruisin What: Apple Scrapple Festival When: October 9 - 10 Where: Downtown Bridgeville applescrapple.com What: Frankford Trunk or Treat When: October 10, 3 - 5pm Where: Frankford Town Park frankford.delaware.gov/events/envisionfrankford-trunk-or-treat What: Fall Cruisers When: October 10, 8am - 2pm Where: Berlin, MD berlinchamber.org/event/fall-cruisers-2/ What: 14th Annual True Blue Jazz Festival When: October 14 - 18 Where: Rehoboth Beach | Lewes truebluejazz.org Please turn to page 39

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

Continued from page 38 What: Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival When: October 15 - 18 Where: Rehoboth Beach | Lewes | Dewey Beach rehobothjazz.com What: Selbyville Trunk or Treat When: October 17, 10am - 1pm Where: Selbyville Fire Co. selbyville.delaware.gov What: Berlin Oktoberfest When: October 17, 11am - 4pm Where: Berlin, MD berlinmainstreet.com/oktoberfest/ What: Milton Zombie Fest When: October 17, 2pm - 7pm Where: Hudson Fields miltontheatre.com/zombiefest The home of Elizabeth and Peter CobleMiller in Bay Colony is all decorated for Halloween. n Shaun M. Lambert

What: Schellville Fall Harvest Fest When: October 17 - 18, 5pm - 8pm Where: Schellville, Rehoboth schellbrothers.com/schellville/events Please turn to page 40

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Continued from page 39 What: Whimsical Woods When: October 20 - 21, 5pm – 8pm Where: Lord’s Landscaping lordslandscaping.com What: Boos & Brews When: October 23, 6pm - 9pm Where: Lewes Historical Society historiclewes.org/event/boos-brews What: Haunted Bonfire & Haunted Graveyard Spectacular When: October 23 - 24, 7pm - 10pm Where: Dewey Beach deweybusinesspartnership.com/events/ What: Sea Witch Festival When: October 23 - 25 Where: Downtown Rehoboth Beach beach-fun.com/Sea-Witch-Halloween-Fiddlers-Festival.html

What: Autumn Home Show with Art & Craft Fair When: October 23 – 25, 10am - 4pm Where: Ocean City Convention Center, MD oceanpromotions.info/events/autumnhome-and-condo-show/ What: Wags, Witches & Warlocks When: October 24, 8am - 12pm Where: Downtown Bethany Beach wagswitchesandwarlocks.com What: Cops & Goblins When: October 24, 1pm - 4pm Where: John West Park facebook.com/photo?fbid=1459165669644 918&set=a.643564294538397 What: Trail of Treats When: October 24, 4pm - 6pm Where: Evans Park millville.delaware.gov/event/trail-of-treats5/

What: Schellville Brew Bash & Spooktacular When: October 24 - 25, 5 - 8pm Where: Schellville Rehoboth schellbrothers.com/schellville/events What: Georgetown Harvest Fest When: October 31, 10am – 4pm Where: Revelation Craft Brewing Co. georgetowncoc.com/events/42802 What: Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival When: November 1 – 8 Where: Cinema Art eater rehobothfilm.com What: 30th Annual Southern Delaware Artists Studio Tour When: November 14 – 15, 10am – 4 pm Where: Bethany Beach | Ocean View | Frankford | Dagsboro artstudiotour.com/

What: Children’s Fantasy Trail When: October 23 - 25, 6pm – 8pm Where: Seaside Nature Center destateparks.com/programs/childrens-fantasy-trail16/

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Purposeful planting through planning R a i n gardens are ready to ro c k

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

TText Te ex and photos by Laura Walter ex Staff Reporter Sta When you walk around your yard, is W the there too much water? A standing puddle tha that never fully dries? Nuisance flooding dur during the high tides? Rain torrents that occ occasionally gush from a rooftop gutter, or ero erode part of your yard or driveway? N Now imagine a collection of plants alrea ready native to the Delmarva Peninsula tha that actually thrive on those wet days. M Meet the rain garden. After you plant one of these babies (correctly), they’ll gro grow without much help, and they’ll help soa soak up dampness in the backyard. P People used to think the best way to dea deal with rainwater was to pipe it away as ffast fa st as possible, across hardened surfaces. But when it seeps more naturally and slow slowly into the earth, the plants and pebble bles filter out more pollutants. IIncreasingly, residents want a natural rem remedy that soaks up water, beautifies the their yard and even attracts wildlife. Native plants have developed over eons to fit our particular climate, feeding the insects, bird birds and predators that are also native to coa coastal Delmarva.

“We sometimes have customers come to us because [their property drainage] is changing,” said Denise Hoeksema, a business owner of the Inland Bays Garden Center. “In the last few years, they are getting more flooding because of saltwater inundation or developments where plants are replaced with houses. Or their own trees fell during a storm and no longer carry rainwater on their leaves or in their roots. Obviously the location is important. Rain gardens don’t have to be huge, but

please ensure they’re positioned to actually catch water. “If you have wet patches or areas that ‘pond’ on your property … you may want to plant some shrubs and trees in those areas to improve water absorption, but choose a diﬀerent site for your rain garden,” according to the nonprofit Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (CIB). “Select a place where you can direct water into it from a downspout, driveway runoﬀ, or Please turn to page 44

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Continued from page 43 other paved area through a pipe, rockfilled ditch, or swale. … Position your rain garden at least 10 feet away from building foundations, underground utilities, and septic system drainfields.” Locate backyard hazards by calling Miss Utility of Delmarva. e garden ground should be level, and the top layer of soil must be loosened to prevent longstanding water. “Rain gardens are not ponds. e idea is to get the water [infiltrating] into the ground and keep it oﬀ the streets. It is important that your rain garden drains quickly,” according to the CIB. “If you have very compacted soil or a lot of clay, you will have to loosen and amend it … to a depth of about 1 foot.” Coastal Delaware soil is fairly sandy, which is good. But any clay in that top foot should be removed and replaced with a blend of sand, topsoil, and compost. Pay attention to water amounts. At the bottom of the garden, use plants that appreciate damp soil or can sit in water for short periods. Higher up on the slope, use Please turn to page 46

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

Continued from page 44 plants whose long roots can soak up a heavy drink, but that ultimately need to dry out after the water flows downhill. en note whether your rain garden will have any saltwater inundation from nearby canals, or just regular freshwater rain. Finally, study your sunlight to determine whether you’ll need full-sun, partialshade, or full-shade plants. (You don’t want to sunburn a fern, nor stick a swamp

sunflower under a tree). Also, “What can I manage? What can I take care of realistically?” Because once you plant your flowers and your shrubs, maintenance is mostly watering and weeding until the plants are well established, Hoeksema said. Consider the spacing of the future fullgrown plants. Do you want taller plants in the back? Or are you hoping to hide or emphasize certain features? And if you re-

Unlock Your Property’s Potential in 2027

ally want to play this game on hard mode, also consider flower colors and bloom calendar. “e most important part is doing some research beforehand,” Hoeksema said. Talk to experts at local native plant nurseries, springtime nonprofit native plant sales, or the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension (in which Master Please turn to page 48

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Gardeners and demonstration gardens fulfill a 150-plus-year-old mission to “extend” agricultural knowledge to the public). Delaware CIB also oﬀers a handy downloadable rain garden guide at inlandbays.org. “A lot of people are familiar with the cardinal flower,” which hummingbirds love, Hoeksema said. Meanwhile, columbine has delicate stems, interesting lobed leaves, and bright red blooms. Some mallow plants are native to Delaware, with giant pink and white hibiscus blooms that look straight out of the tropics. e Hummingbird (summersweet) has lovely little white flowers in a bottlebrush formation. Seaside goldenrod grows quite tall. Blue flag iris will spread. Royal fern and cinnamon fern both show nice textures in the shade. Pink turtlehead is deerand rabbit-resistant. Plus, there’s the pollinator-loving swamp milkweed and Joe

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

Pye; weed. Some plants are critical because they’re the only food source for certain species, like the swamp milkweed for monarch butterfly larvae. “Without it, those creatures simply don’t exist,” Hoeksema said. ese are just a few of the dozens of plant options. With so many varieties across the country, always ensure you’re using the best cultivars suited to this region. Delaware Botanic Gardens has stormwater projects like these on a larger scale. eir rooftop gutters feed a wall of plants, then drip down into a dry creek bed, designed to filter and slow running water downslope. e Rhyne Garden is another massive project, basically a 500-foot-long ditch in the middle of a big gravel parking lot. But this is a professional garden, so you’d better believe that “It’s turned into a garden with plantings that are: 1. Natives, and 2. Can tolerate the rain runoﬀ and help with filtering and such,” said Mark Carter, Chief Operating Oﬃcer. It’s become a lush, wellplanned mass of coneflowers, bee balm, phlox and wild indigo, sloping down to meet the thirsty bulrushes and mallow

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

plants in the basin. Trees and bushes stand above the sloping ditch, with wide branches to slow rain and deep roots underground. And this typically dry area collects and filters all the parking lot rain during storms. “Homeowners can easily install dry creek beds and rain gardens when landscaping to help manage drainage problems and redirect stormwater runoﬀ,” according to project signage. “ese green technologies perform a great service to us and the environment in preventing erosion, reducing flooding and improving water quality.”

Such projects could even inspire housing developments, homeowner associations or business parks to (hire an expert to) design plant-heavy stormwater mitigation. “Plants have a lot to teach,” Hoeksema said. “We just have to pay attention.” She’s heard the opinion that native plants are “messy” compared to a tightly maintained garden. “It’s getting used to a diﬀerent look! It’s not manicured. It’s a different purpose,” said Hoeksema. “It is purPlease turn to page 50

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Continued from page 49 poseful planting through planning! e joy comes from how nature comes together,” because wildlife will find “their plants” for pollen, nectar, and leaves. “And you get the enjoyment of watching them.” Native plants are a central theme at the Inland Bays Garden Center because people want to garden anyway, so why not use varieties that will reestablish local habitat and grow more enthusiastically? “People are enjoying [rain gardens]. It’s fun to see the butterflies, the hummingbirds – but it also helps them with their problems of runoﬀ and drainage. And rain gardens are good because they help filter the water,” Hoeksema said. “A lot of the roots of the native plants go down deeply, which really helps them during the drought times to survive.” If time or money is a limitation, you can incorporate a few native plants at a time, while replacing a fallen tree or last year’s box store annuals. Gardening is just fun, too. “It’s a really great hobby for people, and it brings them joy,” said Hoeksema. “ere’s something about being around nature that is calming … And we all need that!”

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

EXTERIOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS = BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)

The 2022 Cost vs. Value report by housing market data and real estate analytics ﬁrm Zonda shows that, overall, exterior home improvements provide the best resale return on project investment.

Based on national averages, here are the top 6:

Garage Door Replacement

93.3%

Minor Kitchen Remodel (midrange)

71.2%

Window Replacement (vinyl)

67.5%

*of job cost recouped at resale

Entry Door Replacement (steel)

63.8%

Siding Replacement (vinyl)

67.2%

Deck Addition (composite)

62.1%

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Seasonal Style, In Bloom By Susan Canfora Staff Reporter One of the most frustrating obstacles of growing colorful flowers and fresh vegetables can be soil that refuses to cooperate — and some of the soil in this area is just too sandy. But take heart in knowing plants can do well in pots and decorative containers. “If you want them to grow and thrive, they need to be in the right location so they get the sun and the water they need. But virtually anything we have here can be grown in a pot,” said Alison Webb Schweiger — who works for and teaches classes at the Inland Bays Garden Center near Frankford. “Most of the soil here in this area is horrendous,” she said. “It is very, very sandy. So a lot of people garden in containers.

at way a you can control the soil ay soil. But it way, also lifts things up so you don’t have to get on your hands and knees as much as we age,” she said. Before Webb Schweiger gives advice about container gardening, she asks a few questions, including where the container or pots will be located. On the patio? On a front porch? “Where they are putting it is important, because it aﬀects things — how much shade or sun they get, for instance. I garden in the shade. Other people in Ocean Pines, Md., where I live, depending on the tree situation, may garden in sun. I need to find that out. I want to find out how long they expect it to last. Are they looking for something that is going to give them greenery all winter? For something just to last a month or two during autumn, then they do something else for Christ-

mas or they are not here in the winter so mas, don’t worry about it? “I think about all those things when I am guiding people,” Webb Schweiger said. “is is diﬀerent from springtime, because then you are counting on things going on from the spring and into the summer. Now you are counting on things to bloom a little while longer, but you can still see the foliage. “I have people who, once they understand all of those parameters and decide where they are putting the pot — because some people come in not knowing where they will put a pot — then we start looking at plants. I pull some plants for them to see, to give them some visuals for plants for various eﬀects. For instance, I pulled a couple ferns for people who are in the shade. Christmas ferns are great, because they stay green all winter. I pulled some

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

grasses that will give winter interest in various forms, and some sedum that will give colors and textures. “en we have a large abundance of pansies and ornamental kales, cabbage. We have fall mums. And some people like to bring in herbs that could still give some show and last through the winter. So, you could cut culinary sage, and when it blooms in the summer it has the prettiest blue flower. “Some people like to put in perennials, knowing the foliage will die down for winter but it will come back in the spring, because a lot of things you are planting now for spring color but not for color right now. I like people to think about, ‘Where are you going to see this pot from? Only when you are coming up the front walk? From the living room looking out? On a patio? Or around the corner, where you don’t see it unless you are in the back yard?” she said. “ey need to know what their light situation is going to be, what time of day they get sunlight, if it’s an hour or if it’s five or six hours. If they have all-day sun Please turn to page 54

n Photo Courtesy of Chris Aube

, In

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Continued from page 53 and a big pot, I would suggest maybe starting with some grasses, and we do have grasses that grow 18 inches to 24 inches or so. Maybe some sedum, maybe a pretty ornamental cabbage and then some pansies to brighten it up,” said Webb Schweiger. Classes at the Inland Bays Garden Center include Mangia! Mushrooms with an Italian Twist, Pallets of Possibility — Create a Vertical Garden, Delaware Botanic Garden Private Tour & Lunch, Pots of Possibilities — Plant Now Bloom Later, Tumbled Sea Glass Holiday Tree Workshop, and Pumpkin Paper Magic — Create a One-of-a-Kind Decoupage Pumpkin on Oct. 2. Visit www.inlandbaysgardencenter.com for a list of classes and other information. Customers who visit the Inland Bays Garden Center can ask for assistance at no cost. “Oh, sure, we give that,” said Webb Schweiger. “Oh, absolutely. We want to make sure the right plants go in the right situation. If you have a heavy shade situaPlease turn to page 56

Coastal Home & Garden 2026

Scan this QR code for a short video of one of the container gardening classes taught at the Inland Bays Garden Center

n Photo Courtesy of Chris Aube

Continued from page 54 tion, I’m not ever going to suggest putting coneflowers in there, because they need lots of sun. Other people might show up to my classes and decide to put a shrub in

a container, and that is fine. ere are excellent shrubs that will be ornamental all fall and winter, and survive well into the spring if it’s in a big-enough pot.

“We have winterberry that is so decorative in the winter, with wonderful red or orange berries, dePlease turn to page 58

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n Photos Courtesy of Chris Aube

Continued from page 56 time, until the birds start eating them. ey are great for winter, and they can stay in there a couple years. Red-twig dogwood can be really pretty. I have some hawthorns that stay pretty much evergreen,” she said. When it comes to containers, vegetables are welcome, too. is time of year, cool-weather vegetables, such as lettuces and radishes, can be grown. “It’s not too late to start them. You can still get lettuce, radishes, chard,” she said. ere are few plants that don’t do well

in containers, unless they have long taproots, such as the orange butterfly weed. Tall plants might look out of proportion in pots unless the pot is very large. What’s important, Webb Schweiger said, is that gardeners step outside their comfort zones and try textures or color combinations they hadn’t thought about before. “It gives people the chance to explore things. ey become works of art. Relax and go with the flow of looking at plants and thinking about what you are going to see,” she suggested.

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Scan this QR code for a short video tour of the cottage and grounds at Hobbs & Rose.

Continued from page 10 door spaces also offer a hammock, wood-burning fire pit, and a delightful chicken house that provide fresh eggs for guest enjoyment. Guest experiences that set Hobbs & Rose apart are the add-on enhancement services such as on-site luxury picnics, pack-and-go picnics for day trips, and private dinners prepared by Lisa, and Larry, who also happens to be the food and beverage director for Hilton Garden Inn. “We ask every guest before they check in, about a week prior, what’s your favorite beer, what’s your favorite wine, what’s your favorite food, your favorite music, etc. We’re intentional in finding out who they are and what they need. “What I love is that we build these organic relationships where it’s not just a one-shot stay; we see people come back over and over. You doubt yourself and ask, ‘Am I doing the right thing, should I be doing something different?’ But what we read in those guest journals, or the fact that people come back repeatedly, is affirmation that we must be doing something right,” says Lisa. Lisa and Larry’s next big project is a greenhouse. One that will double as an indoor space for events during inclement weather. Lisa is

also planning a series of upcoming events that focus on “Finding our people and sharing our stories in a natural way—whether it’s a dream that has or hasn’t been realized, stories of loss, stories of success, etc. But just to be surrounded by people that encourage you. I want to say that I believed in somebody, you know, and gave them another reason for living life. Let’s be that for one another.” e first event, Gathered and Glazed, will be

held on October 2nd, and is billed as an “evening celebrating dreams, stories, creativity, and the passion that grows when we have the courage to pursue what has been placed on our hearts.” Follow Hobbs and Rose Cottage on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on future events. For booking rates, availability, and other information, visit https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/48406119

Coastal Home & Garden 2026