May 26, 2020

Landscaping ideas for your Seattle garden



Spring and summer are fast approaching, and what can be a better way of welcoming them than by utilizing your garden? Whether you have a small or a big yard, there are many things you can do. With a bit of hard work and creativity, your garden will be ready for enjoyment and relaxation in no time. What is more, once you finish your garden, it will serve you well for years to come. And, trust us, that is something you will definitely need in a city as busy and as 'concrete' as Seattle. So, without further ado, here are some landscaping ideas for your Seattle garden that are trending right now.

Start With Paving

If you want your Seattle garden to be functional and beautiful, you must incorporate some sort of steppingstone path. This path can go around your yard and maybe lead to a patio, your house, or some other destination. However, be sure that you cannot pave this patio wherever you want in your yard. You must make a plan in order for everything to look coordinated and well-organized. Start by cleaning your yard and removing all the items you have laying there. If, by some chance, you do not want to get rid of those items yet, consider a portable storage solution that companies like PortaBox Storage Seattle offer. It is important to start with a 'clean canvas' when landscaping and creating that perfect garden.

After that, head on to your local hardware store, and choose the material you want for your paving. While doing that, keep this in mind:

  • Golden paving materials look best when paired with lavender or pink plants.
  • Grey paving materials look best when paired with purple and white plants.
  • Black paving materials look best when paired with orange, red, and yellow plants.
A path in a garden
Make sure that your stepping stone path goes well with the rest of your yard. .
Plant Trees

Every garden must have a tree. Trees block the sun, create shade, filter noise, protect your privacy, etc. Moreover, they are extremely beneficial for our plants! So, if you have some room in your Seattle garden, use it for planting a tree. However, that process requires proper planning as well. After all, that tree will be in your garden for decades to come, so choose its spot wisely. When it comes to the kind of tree you should pick for your garden, you will have plenty of choices. Trees come in all possible shapes, sizes, and colors. There are smaller ones you can put in a pot on your balcony or on your patio, or those larger ones that spread their branches widely in your yard. So, once again, choose your tree and its location carefully!

Add Furniture

Your garden should not be only for looking. After all this landscaping, you should be able to enjoy it. And, what better way to do that than to add some furniture and use your garden as an extra 'room' during warmer months? Again, garden furniture comes in all shapes and sizes, so it will be rather easy for you to find some pieces that suit your taste. If your garden is smaller, we recommend getting foldable furniture. On the other hand, if you have a lot of space, you can go all out. Consider buying a matching sitting set (table and chairs), a swing, a day bed, etc. You will enjoy organizing barbecues and get-togethers in your yard! And, when autumn and winter come, you can easily place this furniture in your garage. If you do not have one, simply find a storage provider with adequate conditions, and keep your yard furniture there until spring comes again.
 A garden.
Make sure that the furniture you choose for your yard is water-resistant too!
Pay Attention to Your Fence

A fence is a big part of a garden. It brings everything together while creating boundaries. So, it is necessary for you to make sure that your fence looks good. Make sure that your fence is coordinated with the rest of your garden. Choose its materials and color so that they match the overall look and style of the yard and your house. Luckily, there are many materials to choose from - wood, metal, concrete, etc. You can even grow your own living fence. However, whatever type of fence you choose, make sure that it is allowed by your neighborhood association as well, as these associations are very common in the city of Seattle. Also, do not forget to check with your neighbors to check whose fence it is before you start any work on it.
A fenced yard.
A fence is a big part of any yard - do not overlook it!
 Create Different Zones

In the first paragraph, we said that making a plan on how your yard should look is of key importance. If you scatter around all the trees, plants, and furniture, you will create a chaotic mess. What is more, you will create something you will not be willing to use later on. That is why everything in your yard must be coordinated and have its place. Have that in mind when deciding where you will put your sitting area, your patio, and each and every tree and flower. Moreover, if you have a bigger yard, we also recommend creating zones. For example, one zone will be only for sitting. Another zone will be only for planting flowers. And, if you have small children or pets, be sure you create one zone in your Seattle garden just for them.

Photos used

https://unsplash.com/photos/yI6EsMxs8d0
https://unsplash.com/photos/8NivhWR8hRU
https://unsplash.com/photos/xyglt2RqjEE
https://unsplash.com/photos/ZxDX8D9HHNM

May 25, 2020

Is your HVAC ready for the Summer?



Summer is fast approaching. Add the fact that we are all encouraged to stay at home right now for our safety, you want to make sure your Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit is ready for high usage. Here are the things that you need to check to see if your HVAC is ready for the summer:

Check the Filter: Checking your filter is a must as far as the readiness of your HVAC unit is concerned. HVAC repair Attleboro MA company Sinclaire Home Services, advises homeowners to replace their filter at least once a month. If it is a permanent one, cleaning it thoroughly at least once a month is essential. If you have pets inside your house and smoking inside the house is a norm, cleaning or replacing the filter is a must.

Install a Programmable Thermostat: Using your HVAC unit can add to your electricity bill big time, and a programmable thermostat can be a big lifesaver. With a programmable thermostat, you can schedule when your HVAC needs to be working hard or not. Scheduling will not only save you money but it can prevent your HVAC unit from working too hard.
         
Clear the Vents: Your HVAC will run smoothly and efficiently if there are no obstructions to the airflow. You can check the vents by yourself and see if dust and debris are obstructing your vents. This is basic HVAC maintenance that you can do by yourself. If unsure, calling for professional help won’t hurt.

Install Fans to Maximize Air Flow: Installing fans can maximize the comfort your HVAC unit provides your home. There are several types of fans sold in the market: ceiling fans, tabletop fans, and floor fans. Setting the ceiling fan to rotate clockwise during summer is ideal as the air will flow downwards. The downward flow of air can prevent excess heat to rise up into the higher levels of your house and make your HVAC work less. If possible, have the smaller tabletop and floor fans running throughout the house to maximize the cool air flowing throughout the house.

Reduce Heat from other Appliances: To help your HVAC unit work less, it might be smart to avoid using big appliances that generate heat throughout the day. Using the grill instead of the oven to prepare a big dinner will help in lessening the heat your HVAC unit has to battle. Similarly, hang your clothes outside instead of using the laundry dryer.

Replace Your HVAC Unit: If your current HVAC unit is not running smoothly and efficiently, even with basic maintenance and energy-saving tips, maybe it’s time to replace your HVAC unit. Keeping your current HVAC might be more costly than you think. Most newer HVAC units are designed to be more efficient and less costly.

These tips can help you summer-proof your HVAC unit. If all else fails, seek help from a professional.

Landscaping Trends for Summer 2020



Summer is fast approaching. It’s time to head outdoors and prepare your garden for summer’s bountiful blooms and appealing produce.

In the past few years, we’ve seen homeowners looking for new ways to “smarten up” their landscaping with eco-friendly features. Today, sustainability is more of a lifestyle goal rather than an esoteric idea.

If you’re looking for ways to improve your landscaping, here are some of this year’s trends that might work for you.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor kitchens appear to be the next best thing this 2020. Apart from being an extension of your house, it can also be a place where the whole family can bond and have fun during the summer months.

Aside from its functionality, outdoor kitchens can also bring a touch of luxury to your property. Years back, outdoor kitchens meant just having a good grill. But now, homeowners are looking into integrating a full-functioning kitchen outside of their homes to include sinks, countertops, storage, and more.

Hardscape Patterns

Homeowners are going beyond the shape, size, and location of their walkways and patios in 2020. They are looking into intricate designs, detailing, and patterns on their pavements. Bricks or permeable pavers laid in basket-weave, herringbone, or lattice patterns -- as well as other complicated patterns -- are now warming up and softening the hardscaping of outdoor living spaces.

Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardening is a great solution for those who are living in high rise apartments or homes with very minimal outdoor space. Growing your own food does not only save you money but also keeps you confident that your food is fresh.
More homeowners are using creative approaches like wall-mounted containers and trellising to soften walls with vining plants to grow their veggies and herbs near the kitchen.

Companion Planting

Companion planting has been a huge hit with gardeners for many years. It’s known to have several benefits including increasing soil nutrients and healthier plants, preventing weeds, reducing pests, and attracting pollinators.

It looks like this trend continues in 2020. Companion planting provides organic and natural solutions to your garden problems.

Pollinator Gardens

Pollinator plant populations are decreasing, and pollinators are left with no choice but to travel greater distances in order to find plants they need to complete their life cycles.

To help them out, homeowners are adding flowers that attract helpful pollinators like milkweed, known to be the only host plant for the monarch butterfly larvae. Additionally, Joe Pye weed, coneflower, and bee balm are nectar rich flowers which are great for attracting for adult monarchs, birds, bees, and countless other beneficial pollinators.

Sustainable, Multi-Use, Eco-Friendly Solutions

According to Atlanta landscape design company, Oasis Landscaping, Sustainable landscaping is more of a necessity these days than a trend. More homeowners are realizing its benefits, which include saving money, supporting the local ecosystems, and reducing waste.

Smart Irrigation

High-tech irrigation systems are transforming the way homeowners use water in the landscape. No more sprinklers watering a yard during a rainstorm! Smart irrigation allows homeowners to save money and conserve water with just a touch of a button on their phones. Some systems have scheduling features which helps remind homeowners to water their yards right on time.

These are just some of the trends you can apply to your garden this 2020. Whether you’re a novice gardener or a seasoned one, these will definitely help you breathe new life to your garden and improve landscaping work.

May 7, 2020

Apex NC Tips For Hiring A Lawn Drainage Expert



If your lawn drainage is not proper you can experience a lot of issues. The most common issue would be water pooling in a particular area or water pooling in many areas, erosion of plant soil, muddy lawns and so on. To solve these issues you need a lawn drainage expert. A lawn drainage expert or company will be able to solve these issues really quickly. They will ensure that the problem is rectified and it does not recur. However, hiring a lawn drainage expert can be difficult because of the plethora of options available. Recently I hired Drain Solutions in Apex NC to redo the lawn drainage. They did a wonderful job and they can be found at https://www.draindesigns.com/apex-drainage-solutions/. To hire them I had to do a lot of research. The following are the tips to help you hire a lawn drainage expert, tips that I actually used.

  • The first tip is to search online for a lawn drainage expert or company. You will get a lot of search results, just research properly and make a list of 3 or so companies. You can hire any one from this list. However, you need to do more research.
  •  Ask your friends and relatives if they know anything about the company. If any of your relatives or friends provide a good review or rate them highly, you can place that lawn drainage expert on top of your list.
  • Check local reviews and ratings from many websites such as Angie’s list. People provide real reviews and ratings, so you can easily decide if they are good or not.
  • Next call the company and arrange a meet.
  • At the meet ask them to provide a quote. Usually you get a free quote, do not pay for a quote. The representative of the company should ask you questions about the problems, he should take a tour of the property and look at all the issues. A good drainage expert will find out the problems immediately and let you know. The representative who visited my house pointed the exact place where the water was seeping into the foundation of my home and advised me on solutions. So the representative should point out such things.
  • Ask the representative about licences, insurance etc. This is very important, you cannot have an accident claim on your hands, because you hired a company that did not have insurance for their workers.
  • Find out how long the company has been in existence and how many people work in the company. If a company has been in existence for a long period, such as 5 years or more, it means they have the expertise as well as the experience. If there are a lot of employees, it means the company can take care of your problems soon, less number of employees means your problem could be last on their list.

Based on the evaluation of the above mentioned tips you can make an informed decision.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/sewer-cover-iron-grate-steel-cover-178443/

  © Blogger template 'A Click Apart' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP