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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) – Summer goes by so quickly, you don’t want to miss a minute of it. But as the days get shorter and the temperatures cool down, the signs are unmistakable – fall is on its way. And even though you know you need to be preparing your lawn, garden and home for the coming months, who wants to waste precious summer days doing chores? Here are some tips to get those pesky tasks finished quickly so you can enjoy your weekends.
Garden – You’ve probably had your fill of zucchini and tomatoes by now. If your plants have stopped producing, it’s time to start the garden cleanup. Pull up any spent plants and give your soil a head start for next year by turning it over and adding compost.
Flower gardens should also be cleaned up. Cut back perennials that are done blooming, and keep deadheading annuals to encourage flowering as long as possible. Be sure to keep up with the weeding – the fewer weeds you have this fall, the fewer you’ll have to deal with next year. Before the really cold weather sets in, lay down a thick cover of mulch to help protect your plants over the winter.
Lawn – Keep mowing and watering so your lawn isn’t stressed going into the fall. Give it one more dose of “weed and feed” fertilizer to give it an extra boost. Now is also a good time to aerate your lawn – try wearing your golf shoes next time you mow.
Outdoor Furniture – If you have vinyl furniture, give it a good washing and take it in to store. Wood furniture can be more of a chore – you’ll want to inspect it for damage and do any necessary repairs before you store it for the winter. This could mean sanding, scraping and repainting or restaining.
Maybe now is the time to consider replacing that lightweight vinyl and inconvenient wood furniture with stylish, low maintenance outdoor furniture. A Minnesota-based company called By The Yard sells lawn furniture made from recycled plastic milk jugs that is attractive and virtually maintenance-free. The plastic lumber is colorfast, so it never needs repainting, and it is impervious to all types of weather from freezing temperatures to blistering heat. It can withstand moist or dry climates. “We’ve tested our products in Alaska, the Arizona desert and the Florida Keys and after 30 years they still look great,” says company president Deb Anderson.
Because the heavy-duty polymer used to manufacture the furniture can hold up to the elements, there’s no need to drag your lawn furniture into the garage or basement in the fall, only to drag it out again in the spring – simply leave it in your yard year-round. What could be easier? All you need to do is hose the furniture off in the spring and you’re ready to enjoy it. Because the material weighs about 20 percent more than cedar, it won’t blow around outside like lightweight furniture does. The material is also extremely flexible, which make sit as comfortable as it is durable, even without cushions.
Decks and Patios – wood decks need to be cleaned and resealed periodically to maintain their looks and their structural integrity. Check your deck to see if it is showing signs of wear and tear. If your patio has settled over the summer, now is a good time to patch any cracks that have developed so they don’t get worse over the winter.
House Exterior – Patch any cracks in the foundation and touch up any peeling or cracking outdoor paint. Clean your gutters one last time so melting snow and ice won’t get trapped this winter.
A few quick preventive measures can make next spring much more pleasant, and still give you time to enjoy the rest of your summer.
By The Yard furniture is available in 70 different styles and six colors. Choose from Adirondack styles, rockers and swings, table and chair sets, benches, gliders and loungers. For more information, visit www.bytheyard.net or call (877) 220-0448 for a free color catalog.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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