Monthly Archives: June 2017

Outdoor Trends that Boost the Value of Your Home

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July is almost here, and summer is full swing! Now is a great time to get outside to plant a few more annuals, fire up the grill and host a party in your backyard. There are many outdoor trends that add value to your home and make your yard easier to use on a daily basis. If your outdoor space isn’t quite the way you’d like it to be, now is the perfect time to get it in shape.

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Outdoor trends that add value

Here are a few trends we’ve been seeing that will give you a yard you love and boost the value of your home at the same time.

Add a dining area

Adding a deck or patio area is a great way to increase the living space of your home. Indoor/outdoor living is a huge trend right now and is all about extending the inside comforts of home outdoors. Your backyard, deck or patio can be a part of your home that you use every day and with the right design and furniture can be just as comfortable. A comfortable outdoor dining area can be the perfect space for drinking your morning coffee or entertaining family and friends.

Install a fire pit

There is nothing that says summer like spending time around a fire pit with friends and family, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. Fire pits are a safe way to have a bonfire in your backyard. A metal fire ring and flagstone ensures no stray sparks or embers will catch on nearby vegetation.

outdoor trends

Fire pits with a low wall add visual interest and seating for family and friends.

Low-maintenance plantings

Planting low-maintenance gardens and drought-tolerant plants are a good choice for enjoying your yard while improving its curb appeal. Select perennials that will thrive in your planting zone. If you’re not sure what will fit well in your space, many greenhouse employees can offer advice.

A ground-level deck with integrated plantings.

A ground-level deck with integrated plantings.

Edible gardens

Another trend right now is planting gardens that are as productive as they are beautiful. Whether you have space for a full garden or just a container garden, consider planting plants like cherry tomatoes, basil, rosemary, mint, sage, tarragon, oregano, and other herbs. There is nothing better than putting together a recipe or salad with fresh herbs from your own garden.

Your June Yard and Garden Checklist

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Yard and Garden Checklist

By the end of June, it is safe to say that summer is officially here! Everything is green and the growing season is in full swing. If your yard is like mine, everything has been planted and is ready for a bit of maintenance.

After the exciting planting season of May, it’s tempting to sit back and enjoy your garden, but now is the time to do the real work of gardening – tending to your plants and harvesting the fruits of your labor.

Yard and Garden Checklist

Restart your gardening engines and tick off a few tasks from June’s yard and garden checklist.

Everyone

  • Water new and fragile plants as needed, especially during hot stretches
  • Refill any bare spots of mulch before weeds move in
  • Side dress soil with compost or fertilizer
  • Watch for signs of nutrient deficiency in leaves
  • Move houseplants outdoors and give them a bit of fresh air
  • Keep water in birdbaths fresh and clean for our feathered friends

Ornamentals

  • Deadhead frequently to encourage plants to continue blooming for a long season
  • Pinch back flowers like asters, monarda, and helianthus to make them stockier and full of flower buds
  • Vegetables
  • Stop harvesting asparagus and rhubarb so they can build up reserves for next year
  • Replace leafy greens like spinach that have bolted from the heat
  • Plant any remaining warm season veggies like tomatoes, peppers and eggplant
  • Continue blanching tender greens, celery and cauliflower
  • Plant new batches of bush beans every couple of weeks to have a continuous harvest
  • Stake tomato plants as they grow and pinch off any suckers if needed
  • Use a couple drops of mineral oil on corn silks within a week after they appear to deter corn earworms

Trees and Shrubs

  • Prune or shape evergreens as soon as new growth starts to turn a darker green
  • Do maintenance pruning of wisteria once it finishes blooming to keep it in check

Pests

  • Be vigilant for summer insects! Check leaves for eggs and nymphs regularly
  • Watch for four-lined plant bug damage, especially with plants in the mint family
  • Japanese beetles will be back in the summer months

How to Make the Most of Your Backyard

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Nothing says summer like long, warm days spent with family and friends in your backyard. Turning your backyard into a space that you’re proud of and can enjoy might seem like a big undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right help, it can be an easy process that results in a yard that you love.

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There are so many features that can be added to a backyard to make it more comfortable. Selecting the right design will depend on the natural layout and soil type of your space and how you want to use your backyard once it’s complete. Here are some of our favorite design elements that can be added to a backyard to make it feel like an extension of your home.

A Backyard Fire Pit

Everyone has fond memories of nights spent around a crackling fire, roasting hot dogs and making s’mores. Adding a fire pit to your backyard creates a great place for friends and family to hangout and enjoy each other’s company. Fire pits lined with decorative pavers are safe and easy to maintain. Of course, before lighting any fires be sure to check for any local burn restrictions.

A Patio or Deck Area

There are a lot of benefits to adding a patio or deck to your yard. Entertaining is much easier with a level, solid area that can be used to host parties and get-togethers. You could even add a built-in seating and dining area or a cooking/grill station. Often, a patio or deck will increase the value of a home. Plus, there will be less lawn maintenance to worry about.

Lush Plantings and Landscaping Details

No backyard feels complete without thriving plants that added to the landscape design. The right plants add a finished look to any space and can transform a bland area into something that feels special. Work with your landscaper to select plants that require an amount of maintenance that you’re comfortable with. Other details that can be added to a landscaping design include water features, rocks or boulders, and decorative elements.