Prime time for pruning

DO IT NOW

March is prime time to prune most deciduous trees and shrubs. By waiting until late winter, pruning wounds are exposed to cold, drying air for just a few weeks before active growth starts to seal cuts in the spring. Of course, there's an exception to that rule: Spring-blooming shrubs such as forsythias and lilacs should be pruned after they've bloomed. Otherwise, you'll be removing buds that will flower this spring.

ON STARTRIBUNE.COM

Learn the basics of pruning trees at startribune.com/homegarden.

HOT TICKET

Retailers, friends and family members are joining forces for a benefit on Sunday to raise medical funds to support Debra Pesek, an upholsterer whose whimsical work has been a longtime staple, under the Tinkerbella label, at Twin Cities-area stores and occasional sales. Event organizers said the uninsured Pesek recently learned that she has hairy cell leukemia and is scheduled to begin chemotherapy this spring. Events begin at 4 p.m.with a pre-show sale until 6 p.m. at Petunia's in Excelsior, 421 3rd St., where Pesek's items are sold. Sixty tickets are available for a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. at the 318 Cafe, 318 Water St., Excelsior (RSVP required at 952-401-7902). At 7:30 p.m., a $10 ticket gains entrance for all takers to the "Wine Music Mingle," with a cash bar, silent and live auctions and music by Mick Sterling, Jeff Arundel and Jan Edwards. Among the items to be auctioned off are one week at a three-bedroom residence in Cabo San Lucas, dinner for eight at Flash and a wine tasting for six. Donations for Pesek are also being accepted at US Bank in Hopkins; see details at tinkerbellainc.wordpress.com.

WE SPOTTED IT

You can't see the difference, but Jeld-Wen said it has eliminated all forms of urea formaldehyde from the "skins" of its interior molded doors -- the outer part of the door that covers the frame and core -- to meet sustainable building requirements and reduce home air pollution. The manufacturer said the doors are made of 60 percent recycled wood fiber; they are 2 feet, 6 inches wide and 6 feet, 8 inches tall. Prices start at $70 for a hollow-core and $115 for a solid-core; they are available from Scherer Brothers, Home Depot and Stock Building Supply.

STORE NEWS

Feather Your Nest, the Wayzata importer of European antiques and retailer of home accessories and antiques, is closing March 31. Owner Alicia Ringstad said the store will offer progressive markdowns as it liquidates its stock of French and English antiques and new furnishings, accessories and gifts. Ringstad said she and her husband, Bob, are "still doing fairly good business,'' but are closing the 5,000-square-foot shop for a variety of personal and business reasons, including an expiring lease. Feather Your Nest began in 1996 as Anston Antiques. The store, at 1250 E. Wayzata Blvd., is open 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 952-249-8298.

WEB WATCH

designholeonline.com

Musings from Jennifer Mitchell, a Detroit-area interior designer who likes to write. The bonus: Each week she takes on a reader-submitted design dilemma (with pictures) and offers her solutions.

WINNERS CIRCLE

Fireplace need a facelift? Entries are being accepted through Sunday by Fireside Hearth & Home for a chance to win a $5,000 fireplace update or installation, plus $3,000 worth of furniture from the store's collection. Just send a "before" photo along with a short statement on why you need a fireplace and how you'd create your dream room. Enter online at www.fire placefacelift.com or drop off your entry at one of the retailer's seven locations.

ON TV

House voyeurs may want to tune in to HGTV at 7 p.m. Sunday, when the network reveals the winner of its 2009 Dream Home in Sonoma, Calif. Or, if you're only interested in seeing the property, you can take a room-by-room tour at hgtv.com/dreamhome.

NEXT WEEK

Beautiful Garden contest winner Lisa Taft has transformed her barren New Brighton lot into a lush landscape that attracts wildlife year-round.

KIM YEAGER, CONNIE NELSON