Backyard & Garden – Page 3

Indoor-outdoor space has become a real premium as people practiced social distancing over the past two years, seeking social connection with strong airflow to prevent potential sharing of germs. Nowhere is this more possible than on covered or screened-in front porches, which offer some sanctuary from the elements but also the fresh air and comfort of the outdoors.

If you want to make the best “room” of your house that isn’t really a room stand out, there are a few simple spruces that can really boost its appeal. You’d be surprised how much real estate agents recommend making the front porch a draw in 2022, especially if you plan on selling your home soon.

The Big Project: Expand or Build a Porch

If you don’t have a porch already, or if you have a deck or patio in the back, you might be surprised that the front porch is experiencing a resurgence. If you can get an estimate on expanding a front stoop or front porch to make it more visitor-friendly or large, you may be surprised by how much value that adds to your home. People who have spent a lot of time distancing over the past few years are really valuing the option for spending time outdoors but with the comfort of being sheltered in some ways from the elements.

The Upgrade: Adding a Roof or Screen to Your Porch

If you’ve already got a porch or patio area out front, there are still updates you can do. Covered porches can be affordably screened in to add respite from mosquitos and more protection from wind and rain. Other patios only need a simple overhang and supports to become a covered porch, which is less work than a fully indoor addition to your home in many cases.

Make It Comfy: Update Furniture and Amenities on the Porch

If you’ve been neglecting the front porch, now is the time to find comfortable rocking chairs, wind-and-weather resistant seating and coffee tables, and other creature comforts like a bar cart or a lockable cabinet to hold games or other fun for the porch. Make the space the center of your home life by spending leisure time out there and having everything you need for a nice night in available at your fingertips. If you experience a lot of shifts in weather, a patio heater or box fan would be a welcome way to use the porch even in higher or lower temperatures.

Reach Out: Have People Over to the Porch

Once the porch is in great shape, the last step is to actually have gatherings there! It doesn’t have to just be sitting around, though it can be: a cup of coffee with one neighbor or a live-music jam with everyone on your block are both good options. If you’re considering selling your home, talk about how to host a friendly open house on the porch while individual prospective buyers tour the home indoors. Really putting the porch to use is the best way to make the most of your investment and draw focus to it during a sale process.

Make your lawn look it’s best with these tips on how to make your grass grow in shady areas!

We all know keeping a lawn lush and green is one of the many things homeowners strive for. A healthy lawn not only makes our home look it’s best, but it also increases our home’s property value. A yellowing lawn can easily make your home look abandoned and unkept. Maintaining your lawn is not as simple as it looks, especially when we have areas of our lawn that are constantly shaded. Keeping grass growing in those areas can sometimes be difficult, so we have put together some tips on how to help your grass grow in the shade!

Use Less Fertilizer

Grass that is in constant shade needs much less fertilizer than grass that growing with constant sun exposure. All you need to make your grass in the shade grow, is spread a thin layer of compost in the spring. Make sure to apply the compost before seeding. If you have problems with dampness, aerate your lawn to get the air and water flowing. Make sure to fertilize your lawn before aerating.

Hire a Lawn Care Company

Sometimes no matter what we do doesn’t work. It could be that you do not have the right equipment, or are doing something plain wrong that your grass refuses to grow. If you ever find yourself in a rut, consider calling a lawn care company like the lawn care experts at Gecko Green. Sometimes it’s best to leave it to the lawn care professionals to do the job right, the first time around.

Trim Back Trees

Healthy grass will need at least 3-4 hours of sunlight per day, but if your problem area persists consider pruning back trees. Pruning trees and thinning them out can let more light in to your lawn. Prune your trees as much as you can without hurting their health or shape. If your grass is in deep shade, it will be next to impossible to grow it so it’s very important that we try to get as much sunlight as possible.

Keep Your Grass Longer

Grass that is in the shade should be kept at a longer length than grass kept in constant sunlight. It is recommended to keep your grass at a height of 3 inches to allow extra surface area for photosynthesis to occur. This will allow the sun to reach more surface area of the grass and provide extra energy for it to grow. You may have to adjust the blades on your lawn mower to cut the shaded areas of your backyard a little longer than the sunny parts.

Make Sure not to Overwater

One mistake that many homeowners do is overwatering their lawn. We all know that grass needs lots of water to stay green especially in the summer months but if your grass is in constant shade you could be doing more harm than good. Shade prevents quick evaporation of dew or surface water from watering which in return causes dampness in your grass. A damp grass can encourage disease and mold to grow. Only water when absolutely necessary, and when you do water your grass in the shade water deeply instead of doing surface watering.

Seed in the Fall

Make is a tradition to overseed your lawn’s shady areas in the fall. Overseeding is an easy way to fill in thin or bald spots that form during the summertime. If you do this every fall you will be sure to have those bald spots filled come spring time!

Making your lawn lush and green if it’s in a shaded area can be a tricky process if you don’t know the right tricks! If you follow our guide you will be sure to keep your lawn looking it’s best, which will in return make your home look great and possibly increase your home’s value!