Posted by Rebecca Langley on Wed, Aug 18, 2010
There are only a few weeks of summer left and this is the time of the year that we begin to focus on back to school, Labor Day and getting ready for fall home improvement projects. Fall is an excellent time to start a home improvement project both inside and outside of your home. In preparation for fall, we will be doing a 3 part blog series on fall home improvement projects. Today we will focus on outdoor projects.
With the weather getting cooler, it is much more pleasant to work outside in September and October than in the middle of July. Plus, if you do the work now, you will reap the benefits during the spring and summer months.
Plant Perennials
Early fall is the best time to plant perennials like tulips and daffodils, which will bloom in early spring. Carefully examine your yard to decide where the bulbs should be planted. Since these flowers come back annually, you want the area you plant them in to be conducive to the spring sun and at least 5 inches from your home’s foundation. Large bulbs, like tulips and daffodils, should be planted about 5-6 inches apart and 8 inches deep while smaller bulbs, like crocuses and dwarf irises, should be planted about 3-4 inches apart and 3 inches deep. This spacing will keep your garden looking lush and full without overcrowding the bulbs. 
Don’t forget to plant some fall flowers as well. Mums are a great choice because they will come back each year. These flowers thrive on the shortened sunlight of fall so be sure to plant them away from street lights and porch lights that may shorten their bloom time. Do not trim dead branches until after the winter months as they protect the plant from the elements. Be sure to fertilize them in the spring to keep them looking great for next fall.
Fertilize & Aerate Your Lawn
Fertilizing and aerating the lawn will make your lawn green and lush next year. Be sure the soil has some moisture in it before aerating. If it has been dry, wait until after a little bit of rain- about an inch or so is good- and then attempt the aeration. It makes it a lot easier to move the dirt. When buying a fertilizer, be sure to pay attention to the square footage each bag will cover. This will ensure you are not running out for more in the middle of the project or be stuck with extra bags later. There are many brands on the market that are made for fall fertilizing and will protect your lawn during the harsh winter months.
Inspect Your Home
While you are outside, it is also a good idea to inspect your roofing, siding and gutters. Check for any broken or lifted shingles, cracked or wavy siding and other items that should be repaired before they present a bigger problem. Be sure to clean your gutters out as well to keep your home safe from water damage and unwanted critters. If you do not want to spend your time cleaning the gutters, you could install Gutter Helmet on your home. This gutter protection system will keep your home safe without the hassle and danger of cleaning them yourself.
What outdoor home improvement projects are you going to tackle this fall? Be sure to subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss the remaining 2 blogs in our 3 part fall home improvement series. You can subscribe by email using the top right button or via RSS feed by clicking here.
Photo Credit: Flickr user Sharon & Jerry Adkisson's
Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Nov 03, 2009
People have been recycling glass bottles for decades. I remember lugging old Coke bottles back to the bottling company for my nickels - nickels earmarked for the sole purpose of padding my personal candy stash.
Today, a very different and exciting fate awaits your old bottles. Newly formed eco manufacturers turn your trash into creative treasures, or in this case, breathtaking home landscapes.
Photo Credit: EnviroGLAS
Without a doubt, recycled glass mulch is a beautiful enhancement to the garden landscape. EnviroGLAS uses 100% recycled products in their mulch and other new innovations. The glass pieces can also be used to line indoor aquariums and outdoor fish ponds. Naturally, you'd want to use the glass mulch in places that are off the beaten path, but EnviroGLAS ensures that there are virtually no sharp edges to speak of. The beautiful shards catch the sun and glisten. They can become a feature all their own, lending glory to your garden and complementing the colors of your flowers and greenery.
Photo Credit: EnviroGLAS
There are actually many benefits to using glass mulch over wooden mulches. Because glass does not absorb moisture, it filters water into the soil beneath for the benefit of the plant roots. It essentially protects the plants from excess moisture and rotting. Glass mulch also reduces water evaporation.
While humans journey from "dust to dust," EnviroSCAPE glass has a cycle that's literally from sand to sand. The company designed a system to turn recycled glass products back into sand. EnviroSAND can be used for any sand-filled project: golf traps, beaches, play yards, landscape pathway, border and accents. Pure genius.
The glow and shine of glass is something that has captured the human eye since its inception, but finding new and exciting uses for it, especially ones that are eco-friendly, can also capture the heart. Using recycled glass around the home is yet another way that we can raise the bar for environmental responsibility.
This guest post was written by Jennifer Heyns of CalFinder Remodeling. View more of her articles here.