Readying Your Backyard for Summertime
As summertime approaches and the days get warmer, homeowners should begin to ready their outdoor spaces for summer heat, outdoor entertaining, and the emergence of pesky bugs. Remove Excess ThatchDecaying plants are more than likely built up on top of your grass. Rake this away so that sunlight and rain water can reach the soil to help your grass grow green and luscious in time for summer. Fertilize Your GrassOn average, 30 days before summertime is a great time to fertilize your grass. The type of fertilizer you should use depends on the type of grass you have. Water Your LawnKeep roots in mind! Most grass needs 1 inch of irrigation each week during peak growing season. The best time to water your yard is the early morning or at night so the grass has more time to absorb the water before it dries out from the sunlight. Keep Your Grass MowedMowing grass properly is super important! Follow these general rules: -never cut more than ⅓ of the height of the grass -mow often, it strengthens the grass-raise the cutting height of your mower as the summer goes on Open Your Pool (if applicable)It’s about to be pool season! Those who have pools know they require a lot of maintenance. Begin cleaning the pool and deck area, sorting out any problems with the equipment, add chlorine etc. You’ll thank yourself for doing it now when the temperature is high enough to take a dip! Bring out your outdoor furniture if it’s stored awayIf you have outdoor furniture, fire pits, outdoor pillows and cushions, umbrellas, etc. packed away, it's time to bring them out! Consider buying tarps to use to cover them in case of storms, rather than lugging them in and out of storage with each summer rain.
8 Ways to Go Greener at Home
Celebrate Earth Day this year by going greener at home! There are lots of little things we can do in our homes to play a small part in reducing landfill waste, cleaning the air, and preserving the natural landscape. Every year on April 22nd, billions of people world-wide celebrate Earth day; a holiday created to demonstrate the importance of environmental protection through a wide-range of global events. Everyone can do their part to keep our home planet clean, and you can too! Here are 8 small, easy, and environmentally-friendly choices we can make in our homes to go green this year! Start Using Reusable Bags- Most stores offer Canvas bags as an alternative option to wasteful plastic bags. These bags are actually more sturdy than plastic bags, as well as better for the environment. Plant a Garden- By growing your own garden, you are the one to decide what goes on your plants and into your soil, allowing you to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals polluting our environment and waterways. Organically growing your own food is sustainable and nourishes your soil by using safe and natural fertilizers. For tips on how to start your own garden, click here. Wash Laundry in Cold Water Instead of Hot- According to The Worldwatch Institute, 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water. Plus, clothes tend to not bleed color so much when washed in colder water, saving you from doing separate loads for lights, darks, and whites! Switch Out Light Bulbs for Energy-Efficient Options- Look for ones marked “CFL.” Compact fluorescent lights use much less electricity than standard incandescent light bulbs do and they last 5x longer. Save Water- Fix any leaky pipes or faucets, take shorter showers, and stop buying water bottles. You can always purchase a water filter if you aren’t a fan of tap water! Go Paperless- We’re living in the digital age- so it’s time to get digital with your bills and other mail. Reduce the number of papers going in and out of your home by going paperless with monthly subscriptions and billing payments. You may find that your finances are actually easier to track digitally right from your smartphone with options like auto-pay, digital reminders, and more. Unplug Electronics When They’re Not in Use- There’s no reason to leave electronics plugged into the walls when you aren’t using them. Unplug phone chargers, speakers, and kitchen appliances like the toaster until you need to use them. This eco-friendly tip will also help lower your energy bill! Use Paper Less and Recycle More- Swap out paper towels for cloth napkins/towels when drying hands and cleaning up liquid messes. This way you save yourself from buying so many paper products because you can wash and reuse the cloth items instead. You’ll be saving money and the planet at the same time.
Annual Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
A home operates with the seasons, coming to life in the spring and hunkering down in the winter. If you’re a homeowner eager to throw open the windows and clean out the closets, consider this list of annual spring home maintenance items to complete in order to give your home the once-over it deserves inside and out. SYSTEMS TO CHECK: HVAC | Call your technician to schedule servicing and cleaning of your HVAC. Cleaning the ducts and vents saves home-owners costs in the long run. PLUMBING | Check to make sure your pipes and faucets aren’t leaking. Water stains on the walls and ceilings are major indicators of leaky pipes. It’s a good idea to also check the flapper in the tank of your toilets to ensure it is not worn out. SUMP PUMP/GUTTERS | April showers are in the forecast- don’t wait until they are here to make sure your sump pump’s motor isn’t shot and your gutters aren’t clogged. CHIMNEY | If you have a chimney, you need to inspect it regularly because they carry dangerous gasses from the fireplace, wood stove, or furnace out of your home- keeping the air inside breathable. If you were cozied up by the fireplace all winterlong, odds are there may be a blockage or build up inside your chimney. Hire an expert to check for cracks and repairs. SMOKE ALARM/CO2 | Better safe than sorry- check the batteries. You should be doing this more than once a year, but since you’re tackling the rest of the house might as well add it to the list now. AREAS TO SPRUCE: DECK/PATIO | As the weather warms up, you’ll be eager to use your outside space again. Chances are your deck and/or patio has a layer of winter grime on it. Sweep away debris, check for cracked wood, and replace loose nails. PAINT | Look for signs of peeling or chipped paint on your home’s exterior coat. You may need a touch-up or a fresh coat. POOL | If you have a pool, you’ll have to treat the water, check and change valves and filters, and inspect all equipment before you’ll actually want to swim in it. EXTERIOR WINDOWS/FACADE | Spring is a good time to give your home a good scrub. Take the storm windows off and wash the windows, inside and out. The house can get grimy, too. Grit stuck to the facade can damage paint and masonry over time. LAWN/HEDGES | Reseed your lawn, filling in bald patches before the summer heat. Plant your perennials, and give them plenty of water. Later in the spring, when the grass turns bright green again and the lilacs bloom, it is time to fertilize the lawn. Source
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