Expert Tips for having a Healthy Lawn

Our lawns are one of the things that people love to spend time on in the spring and summer.
Whether it’s tending to it or laying on it or relaxing by it we love to have a good looking lawn. Not all of us though want to spend the time it takes to have that good looking lawn. Like a lot of things in life these days if it isn’t instant then we don’t have the time for it. Yet we know that if we want it to be good it is going to take some effort. We also know that when we know how the experts do it, it always cuts the time and effort it takes to do the job right. So here are some tips from an expert.

“Turf expert Paul B. Latshaw, superintendent at Muirfield Village Golf Club, Jack Nicklaus’ home golf course in Ohio, says, ‘Turning your attention to the turf in early spring makes all the difference. Just like in golf, a little work now will really pay off throughout the season.’”

Here is some expert advice for keeping your lawn looking great all season:

Make sure your equipment is in good shape after sitting unused all winter, so spring is the perfect time to do a checkup on your mower. Make sure your mowers’ blade is sharpened or replaced, and make sure you change your mower’s oil, air filter, and spark plug. Your local dealer can help you with all the parts you need or you can get him to do that spring tune-up.

Fix those bare spots you might have noticed in your backyard due to disease, pests, or pets. They’re easy to repair by clearing away the dead material from the patches, then sprinkling some grass seed on the newly exposed soil, make sure to add a little fertilizer, and most of all keep the area moist.

Watering is important but we don’t want to waste this precious resource. You may have a drought resistant type of grass but many of us don’t and it will need water regularly. Some people water too little and others more than they have to. The rule of thumb here is: a lawn typically needs 1 inch of rain fall or water per week. If it gets more than that all season then the roots will be too shallow and that isn’t good, if it doesn’t get enough rain or water then it is susceptible to disease and insects. So make sure your lawn gets one good drink once a week.

Aeration is also important and needed to loosen the soil and to let water, air and fertilizers make their way down to the grasses roots. Lawns can often become compacted, reducing the ability of critical nutrients to reach those roots. Aeration often only needs to be done once a year.

Crab grass and other common problems with our lawns, dandelions, plantain, clover, etc. all need to be controlled if you want a quality lawn. Many aren’t noticeable first thing in the spring but that’s the time to do something about them before they start to grow or get out of control. For those of you who are thinking GREEN (and there are more and more of you every year) there are good choices that can help you have that control.

Spring and summer is a time for enjoying the outdoors and having the right tools and techniques will help turn work into pleasure and help you have a quality lawn throughout the year.

Thinking Green “by the yard”

Outdoor lighting, both practical and fashionable

Outdoor lighting is rare in that it is both practical and fashionable; few things actually combine style and substance, but outdoor lighting does, allowing you to create a beautiful yard that is also safe. You can find outdoor lighting for landscape or accent lighting, deck or steps, path lighting, garden lighting, or to light your pond or pool etc. and they are available in many styles just like interior lighting, so you can easily harmonize the lighting with the architecture of your home. Up until a decade ago, beautifying the nightscape was not a mainstream idea but not so today. Let’s look at several ways people are using outdoor lighting to enhance their back yards.

Landscape or accent lighting has three main goals - enhancing the aesthetic beauty of a home, enhancing the surrounding plantings, and increasing security. A good landscape lighting plan will include a variety of landscape lights to highlight architectural features and scenery plus landscape lights designed for safety and security. Spotlights will make a pretty tree look spectacular at night or properly illuminate the front of your home.

Deck and step Lighting adds a measure of security and beauty to your deck. They can come as hanging lamps, post caps or can mount to the deck posts and they add a great ambiance to the evenings entertaining. Adding some of these accent lights beside your steps eliminates any dark areas and adds that extra measure of safety.

Path lights illuminate dark paths and walkways, providing secure access to your home or that back yard patio without the fear of falling in the dark. They can also deter intruders by eliminating places to hide.

Garden lighting is generally used to bring bushes and flowers to life at dusk. Gardening has always been a past time homeowners enjoy, both for themselves and to raise the “curb appeal” of their home. There are many designs you can choose from some even built into statuary.

Pond or pool lighting are a must for highlighting the water features, which can be a distinct danger at night. Lighting for your Koi or garden pond brings it to life at night showing off this unique Garden element or you can just imagine your pool with a soft reflection of light resting on its waters making it an oasis of beauty and calm after a hectic day.

Having the right Outdoor lighting can enhance your home's beauty and provide functionality as well --you couldn’t ask for more.

If you enjoy using your back yard for entertaining you know how important having the right outdoor and patio furniture for all your guests is. At “Teaks n more” they have the right wood outdoor patio furniture for all your entertaining needs and at a price you can afford. They can provide you with just what you’re looking for.

Lighting “by the yard”

Keeping up with the Latest Trends for our back yards

For some of us we really like things to stay the same. For the next person keeping up to the latest trend is exactly where they are at. When it comes to our back yards the same thinking is true. But when we move into a new house we all want to change things. We want to make it our own and certainly the way it is, well that was someone else’s idea of what looked good. When we go to change things, we want to know what is in, don’t we, the latest trend. We may not go there but we want to know what it is. Today homeowners are incorporating the latest trends in their outdoor great rooms, living rooms, dining rooms and full kitchens, decorating them just as they would indoors. Well for those of you who have moved recently or are about to or those rare birds who just like to change things, here are some ‘words of wisdom’ concerning today’s top trends for our back yards.

(ARA) -Here are some of the top designer trends today’s homeowners are clamoring to implement:
* Bolder, Vivid Color
After years of blending earth tones with the outdoors, designers are incorporating color into the exterior. Colored glass is being used as an alternative mulch, and colored concrete is being applied in benches, pavers, fencing and related products. Bigger, bolder flowers are making a statement in today’s back yard.
* Pretty Potted Plants
Homeowners are looking for new ways to showcase their flowers and plants, and as a result, potted plants have a newfound popularity. Flowerpots are being offered in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small, subtle circular pots to large, art-inspired pieces. Lighted urns are turning heads as an innovative way to showcase flowers and add light to the exterior.
* Environmentally Friendly Accents
Green living is more than a trend – it’s a way of life. As they spend more
time outdoors, homeowners are applying environmentally friendly practices here too.
“Many homeowners find themselves outdoors at night, as they settle in after work and entertain through the evening,” says Jeff Dross. “Since they’re outside past dusk, they’re leaving their landscape lighting on for extended periods. To help with energy savings, new LED accent lights, deck lights and step lights all offer long life and energy savings.”
* Butterfly Inspirations
America’s love of butterflies has grown to new heights with butterfly-themed products across a variety of fashion and decor lines.
* Trendy Teak
Teak has found widespread popularity in outdoor furniture applications, as the wood is known for its durability and natural oils. Suitable for outdoor use, teak continues to emerge in complementary products, and accessories to the yard.
* Complementary Pieces
Homeowners combine complementary accessories outdoors as well. Patterns from outdoor furniture cushions are being carried over to complementary outdoor table placements, candles and other accents.
These latest trends and influences are bringing homeowners more enjoyment in the outdoors, adding timeless appeal and may very well make their yard the talk of the town. Courtesy of ARA content

If you are looking for some of that Trendy teak wood patio furniture you don’t have far to look. At “Teaks n more” you can find great quality teak wood outdoor furniture at a price you can afford.

Trends for today “by the yard”