The Garage Plan Shop Blog

For many of us the backyard is our home away from home, or more specifically our home outside our house. Many of us will be spending a lot of time in our yards this summer and keeping things safe is just as important in the backyard as it is inside the home. Here are some reminders for backyard safety this summer and throughout the year.

1. Grills – Keep your grill at least ten feet away from the side of your house, and keep it away from decks and shrubs. Never use it inside garages or under porches for cover. Keep children and pets away from the grill while in use, and always extinguish the coals before leaving it unattended.
2. Decks – Waterproofing will help keep your deck in good shape. Then if you are working with timber decking then you need to use a top-quality rubber decking to hold it all in place and that’s easily the best we have ever used. Inspect it for cracks and splinters, as well as for screws or nails popping up through the wood. Test railings for sturdiness.
3. Plants – Choose plants carefully for your landscape to prevent any interactions like rashes or worse. Likewise inspect existing plants and know what poison ivy looks like and how to remove it safely. If it’s time to replace your plants, check out the list of the best and delicate house plants to grow at https://www.laweekly.com/11-best-house-plants-to-purchase-durable-and-delicate-plants-are-for-everyone/. You might also want to consider using a high-quality topsoil for your landscaping project.
4. Pools – Follow existing guidelines and local laws for fencing around a pool. If you’re thinking of fence installation for your pool or your  property as a whole, this vinyl fence company has extreme dedication to quality fences. Store chemicals in a safe place and out of reach from children. Check that the drain cover complies with established safety standards. Establish house rules for the pool including, “No one swims alone.”
5. Pests – If you’re living in Australia, you can hire a specialist at pest control Hobart to help you with your pest problem. You can keep the mosquito population down by eliminating sources of standing water. Change the water in birdbaths and fountains frequently, The PestPro Thermal Systems Bed Bug heaters include a do it yourself kit.  Do not overuse weed killers or pesticides and be aware of their potential dangers for humans. If you have a big pest infestation, you can contact Team Veterans Pest Control to get rid of it, they serve all of Charleston.
6. Play Sets – Check frequently for the effects of use and weather like loose bolts, splinters, rust, etc.  Provide a soft cushion like wood chips around equipment. Supervise young children while they play.
7. Underfoot – Eliminate dangers in the yard that may cause tripping like sticks, rocks, tree stumps and uneven terrain. If you want to remove those tree stumps, you can find services online or you can immediately check here.
8. Mower -The spinning blades of power mowers can make dangerous projectiles out of sticks, stones and even toys. Keep everyone inside, especially children, when mowing the lawn.

Tags: backyard safety, lawn and garden tips, safety tips

Summertime drought conditions can cause havoc for your lawn, garden, trees, and other landscaping. If you’re looking for professionals who can take good care of your trees, companies like Tree surgeon brighton have the needed expertise.

Below are a few tips to help beat the heat and keep your green spaces looking vibrant, healthy and strong:

• Plants: An easy way to protect plants in dry conditions is to use mulch around them. Experts suggest using three to four inches of organic mulch around plants to lock in moisture and prevent water loss due to evaporation. Mulch also prevents soil compaction, reduces soil temperature, and prevents weeds that use up valuable water. If you are looking for tree removal in Mackay Queensland, then there is a good chance that you have a problem with the trees on your property. Trees can be incredibly beautiful and they provide shade during hot summer days. They also help to prevent erosion of topsoil and reduce noise pollution from traffic or other sources. Unfortunately, trees can also cause damage when they fall over or grow too large for their location. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the tree entirely because it has become diseased or dangerous due to rot or termites.
• Lawn: The more compact your soil is the more water will be lost from evaporation. It is a good idea to aerate your best self propelled lawn mower from time to time and water the lawn slowly with some type of sprinkler system or a simple lawn and garden sprinkler. A green lawn is made easier by an automated sprinkler system. A trenching company can help you with your sprinkler installation.
• Trees: Your trees should be your top priority. When in good health, they create a shaded canopy over your lawn, keeping it cooler and less “thirsty” for water.
  Experts suggest drilling several holes in the soil around the base of the tree. The holes should be at least 24 inches deep. Fill them with compost. This will help water penetrate the ground more easily and reach the tree’s roots more efficiently. You can find more information here. If you want to boost your backyard appeal and there are excess trees you want to be removed, you can call any reliable tree services near you who have the right equipment, such as a Chipper.
• Bugs & Pests: If you are considering the use of eco-safe solutions and materials in eliminating any sort of pests, a trusted and reliable pest control services similar to the pest control Melbourne company would be great to help you fix your pest control issue. A pest control company like Prime Pest Control Brampton recommends to keep an eye on your lawn and other vegetation for bugs and other pests that might find their ways into your lawn, garden, etc., in search of food during drought conditions.
  Contact a pest control Berwick expert or seek professional advice from a lawn and garden center about killing or removing these pests, click here for more info. Let the pest control exterminator do the process to fully get rid all the bugs and pests at your lawn and garden. Some pest control companies are now using software like FieldRoutes to enable customers to easily purchase pest services online.
• Conserve Water: Water your plants and lawn early in the morning when you’ll lose less water to evaporation. Make your own rain barrel and collect roof water from downspouts. Use this water before you turn on the hose. Also, water your lawn slowly using a sprinkler, allowing the water to soak into the ground. This will prevent water from sitting on top of the soil where it will simply evaporate.

Following these handy tips will help keep your lawn and landscaping healthy, green and strong through summertime drought conditions.

Tags: drought conditions, landscaping tips, lawn and garden tips, summertime lawn care tips

The birds are chirping, which is relaxing to hear (but sometimes birds can be troublesome, so there is a safe way to get rid of birds using Fly Away BMS). The days grow longer. The sun seems warmer. It must be spring. No more hesitation. It is time to get outside and prepare your lawn for the hot days of summer. You can either do it on your own or hire a residential yard work services.  If you have commercial space you can also consider a commercial lawn maintenance.

Below are a few hints to help you get started:

1. Rake – Using a lawn sweeper or a good old fashioned rake, remove accumulated debris like sticks, leaves and litter. Raking also helps to remove dead weeds and grass. Thick lawns may require a dethatcher.

2. Aerate – You can aerate the ground by poking holes with a garden fork or consider a lawn aerator rental. This is especially critical if you have heavy clay soil. This will allow water and fertilizer to saturate the soil giving your lawn a jump start.

3. Fertilize – This replenishes the food reserves that the plants use up in the winter months.  Apply an organic fertilizer or compost tea. This is accomplished by soaking compost in water then spraying the liquid on the lawn.

4. Weed – By using a pre-emergent weed killer, you give the grass a chance to grow tall and strong without competition from weeds.

5. Reseed – Reseed bare areas. Over-seed the entire lawn if it appears patchy or thin.

6. Mow – As soon as the grass is growing it is time to start mowing. Sharpen up your blade as a dull one causes brown dried out edges on the grass. Also it will tear out new growth. Don’t cut it too short. It is better to mow more often than too short. Keeping the lawn at a proper height, 2 1/2 to 3 inches tall allows the roots to fully develop. If you’re tired of mowing your lawn, consider switching to synthetic grass.

Tags: lawn and garden tips, lawn care tips, spring lawn care