Tag: gardens

Effective ways to simplify yard maintenance

Effective ways to simplify yard maintenancecredit

Modern-day lifestyles give us scant time and energy to carry out the smaller tasks in life. Your yard is one of these things that many people are just no longer able to spend time maintaining, and leaving your yard to fall apart will only add extra stress and unhappiness to your life, all while degrading your property value at the same time.

Maintaining your garden should be more manageable now as we have all the latest technology and gadgets that can simplify tasks and save time offering you the opportunity to relax without all the hard work.

Here are some practical solutions to effectively reduce your yard maintenance.

Collection of zinc watering cans

Simple irrigation

Installing an automatic irrigation timer can offer you one less task that can take quite a bit of time. Timed irrigation is easy to install unless you opt for the really advanced systems, but your basic timers only require you to install sprinklers at specific points in your yard that will cover areas where you want to give extra attention and promote growth.

Next is installing the timer to the taps and sprinkler system, which is simple if you follow the instructions. Once installed, you won’t need to water your garden by hand again; it will be done automatically when you set it; you can enjoy a greener garden with no effort.

Mound of mulch and wheelbarrow

Use mulch

Mulch is an organic and inexpensive way to keep the soil moist for longer and offer a great form of protection from the growth of weeds. Covering your beds & borders is a fantastic way to keep your plants well insulated during the winter months, which can also reduce garden maintenance.

Mulch is composed of leaves, bark and sticks. You can make your own mulch at home by simply collecting all your fallen leaves, pruned material and bark and processing it through a wood chipper. If you don’t have a wood chipper, you can go over your mulch pile with a lawnmower to break up all the large pieces.

Garden path made from stone

Create pathways

Creating up pathways to specific points in your garden, like taps or ponds, can reduce the amount of lawn to cut, and keeping your paths a little lower than the level of your grass will allow you to cut your grass without needing to lift your mower.

Adding furniture is a great way to reduce the amount of work and give you an area to enjoy and relax in your garden.

Setting up barriers such as mini fences on your garden beds can help reduce grass from growing over the edge, and this can also require less maintenance when you need to freshen up your garden beds. Placing large pot plants that suit your garden space can create areas of interest and also means less weeding and mowing.

Keeping your garden beautiful may feel like it can take hours every day to maintain. But with a few changes and additions to your yard, you will create a tidier space that is easy to maintain. Correct pruning and mowing at the right times will keep your plants alive for longer and easier to maintain.

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Installing a home pool: crucial elements to consider before you buy

Installing a home pool: crucial elements to consider before you buy

Having a home pool can be an excellent investment. It’s the perfect way to spend the hot summers, entertaining friends, relaxing with a cold drink in hand beside your very own pool. There are a lot of things you should to bear in mind before you take the plunge, so to speak!

Here are some of the key considerations for anyone thinking about installing their very own home pool.

Outdoor swimming pool

Cost

Pools can be costly investments. While the value of your home may increase with the installation of a pool, the cost and maintenance may still give many home-owners reason to hesitate. Shop around to get an idea about the cost and do some research into local pool installation experts.

Pool installation is something which you should never forsake quality for a lower cost. Having your pool installed by professionals is the best way to ensure its safety and longevity.

Indoor swimming pool

Size

The size of your pool will largely be determined by the size and suitability of your land. Pools can come in many sizes, so you’ll likely find ones to suit most gardens.

It would help if you also took into account what how you’ll be making use of the pool. Will your pool be a purely recreational feature? Will it be for kids or adults or both to use? Will you want to use your pool for exercise? All of these and more are questions you should ask before installing your pool to ensure you get precisely what you set out to achieve.

Chocolate labrador next to a pool

Safety

When not in use, you’ll need to ensure that your pool isn’t a safety hazard to kids, pets or yourself. It would be advisable to install a safety cover over your pool to ensure maximum safety for all involved. This allows you to cover the pool when it’s not in use and thereby prevent any potential accidents.

Poolside safety is an important issue. Installing anti-slip flooring is crucial to preventing falls when the area around the pool is wet. If you already have patio or flooring installed, you could consider an anti-slip floor treatment like this one from Infinity Floor Restoration.

You should also ensure that you have emergency equipment nearby, such as floats, in the event of anyone getting into difficulty.

Debris at the bottom of a pool

Cleanliness

Cleaning a pool can be a significant undertaking. Many pool owners are moving away from chemicals for keeping pools clean, so there are many options available, both natural and chemical. You’ll also need to ensure that you have a net and vacuum to remove any debris such as fallen leaves that may find its way into the pool. A pool cover, as mentioned above, can help to prevent any detritus from getting into the pool and causing damage when not in use.

Two pairs of feet in a swimming pool

Upheaval

Installing a pool is a significant construction project, no matter the size. You and your family should be prepared for the upheaval of the process. There’ll be a lot of digging and manual work going on while the pool is being installed, so you should be ready for some significant disruption to your daily life as this happens.

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Simple garden additions to enhance your winter outdoor space

Simple garden additions to enhance your winter outdoor space

As Australia creeps into the colder wintery months, your first thought might not be about hosting an outdoor garden party for big groups of friends, but if you find that you’re hunkered down at home with family, you can make the most of your winter outdoor spaces. Now is the perfect time to consider some outdoor renovations and add some complimentary garden accessories.

Here are a few ideas to make the most of your wintery garden space during the cooler months.

Fire bowl

Set up a fire pit

There are numerous options for firepits on the market and can be a warm addition to your outdoor area. These range from full garden renovations to simple additions that can be purchased online. From rustic to industrial, there are options for every decorating style.

If you know that you’ll be using your outdoor fire often, you may want to invest in one that is installed by professionals rather than an above-ground option. They also come in a variety of sizes, so you can find one that will fit your garden space well. Now, all you need is marshmallows and roasting sticks to make it an even more inviting space.

Garden day bedcredit

Provide cosy seating with warm outdoor throw blankets

Relax in some comfy outdoor seating, and make sure that the cushions are waterproof. Not all outdoor furniture needs to be upright chairs; you can relax in comfy daybeds or chaise lounges, with many classy looking options. For a fun way to liven up your garden area, add a hammock.

You can make things even more inviting by adding some wool blankets. Instead of leaving the blankets outside, hang them on a hook by the door to grab as you walk outside.

Pair of hurricane lampscredit

Light it properly

With the sun setting earlier, you’ll want to incorporate ambient lighting when spending time outdoors in the evening. Integrate candles, but make sure they won’t get blown out by any breezes, so opt for larger candle holders to guard against the wind.

Hang waterproof lighting like Lepro smart LED strip lights around your seating area for an overall glow that can easily be turned on and off to add ambience to a larger space.

Bar cartcredit

An indoor-outdoor bar cart

No garden space is totally complete without dining and drinking options.  Have an optional bar cart that can be rolled outside or inside as the weather demands. Make sure that the wheels are operational though, and not just for looks, to ensure that you can easily transform the bar cart from inside to outside. If you go with a copper look, keep in mind that it will naturally patina with the weather.

Hammock with red throw

Keep your style cohesive

Revamping your garden space for winter simply means taking into consideration the weather changes, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your outdoor space year-round. Before choosing any outdoor accessories or furniture, decide on a style that does not look strangely out of place compared to your indoor furniture and décor.

For some garden space inspiration, check out some of our earlier Get their look posts, like this fun and vibrant patio, this more eclectic look or this low-key relaxing porch.

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Beautiful garden upgrades you may not have considered

Beautiful garden upgrades you may not have considered | H is for Home

Our outdoor spaces can be sanctuaries, social areas or a great places for our children to play and get exercise. Many of us remember running around a family garden when we were younger, getting a tan in the summer and throwing snowballs in the winter. If you’re lucky enough to own a garden that you can access at any time, then it’s an excellent idea to take advantage of this. There are real benefits to enjoying fresh air at some point during the day. A garden upgrade might be just the thing to tempt you outside. Not everybody is green-fingered, of course, but there are other options on offer – whether through your own efforts or by calling in a professional gardener or landscape designer.

Garden room

Garden rooms

Garden buildings can be used for numerous purposes – a home office, craft room, DIY workshop, study or potting shed. Sometimes people buy them to use as a multi-purpose, outdoor living base for the warmer months; somewhere to cook, entertain visitors or use as a kids’ play area. In fact, getting the children involved in decorating your garden space might be an idea that you want to explore. If you’re able to identify a suitable space outdoors for a garden room, you may be able to have that coveted, tucked-away office. Also, having an office in your garden could boost the success of your business, ensuring that you have a place to concentrate and a space where you can achieve an effective work/life balance. It’s something that many business owners claim they couldn’t do without once they’ve experienced it. It can be an investment that brings you high returns in the future.

Artificial grass

Artificial grass

Artificial grass is a little bit Marmite; gardeners and home-owners can be conflicted about this particular one. But there’s no denying the fact that many people have chosen this route and are more than happy with the results. The amount of money and time that you save choosing artificial grass is well worth the initial outlay and effort. When this new technology first came onto the market, many people were sceptical, but it’s now a much more common landscaping choice. Many people have been converted… it’s a material that’s clean, hard wearing and virtually maintenance free. It can save you lots of time, allowing you to enjoy your garden without the effort of weeding and mowing. I’s also great for the elderly and disabled who can’t quite so easily manage their garden. It’s interesting to note that the artificial grass on the market can last for up to 15 years, and most come with a guarantee covering that length of time.

Dragon water feature

Water features

You may think that fountains are only for those of us with plenty of spare cash to burn, but there is a range of options from to suit every budget. From simple, miniature water features to the more extravagant statues with fountains attached, you can easily find something that will suit you and your outdoor space. They add real interest – both visually and audibly. It’s important to relax and unwind – and the beautiful sound of running water is a special thing for us to experience.We work hard to be in the position to own our own gardens, so why not add a little luxury and interest to them?

Plants being grown in pots and containers

Vegetation

When we think of a garden, we often think of beautiful flowers and shrubs located there. Obviously, these are features that enhance our gardens massively. Still, we don’t always know where to start with plants and flowers, but luckily with resources such as the internet and local garden centres, we should be able to create something unique for our gardens. It’s important to remember that different plants require different growing conditions – and also they’ll be in bloom at different times of the year. To ensure that your garden has ample flowers on display for as much of the year as possible, you may choose to hire professional help – whether through a garden designer or landscape gardener. They’ll know all the ins and outs of the gardening year and will be able to create that special place for you.

You could even take an online course to help you understand garden design, landscaping, plants and flowers… all the aspects that will help you enhance your garden dramatically. Many people have created long-term careers just through an initial hobby interest in gardening and learning about the topic.

Tree with pink blossom

Trees

Most of us love trees – walking through woodland or a park filled with beautiful trees can really help us de-stress. Tree-lined streets and avenues have a calming effect, bringing a bit of nature into the urban environment. And how wonderful to be able to open the back door and spend time sitting under your own tree? If you aren’t a gardener or don’t have green fingers, don’t worry. A tree pretty much takes care of itself and can be an excellent addition to your garden. Choose a suitable tree for the space available, give it the initial care it needs… then sit back and enjoy watching it grow and observing all the wildlife that it attracts.

So, whether you want a completely fresh garden design, a new garden building, new planting schemes or just some artificial grass – a garden upgrade is undoubtedly going to improve your chances of enjoying your time in your outdoor space and increase your home’s appeal when it comes to selling… and anything that can get you outside breathing fresh air and exercise is, of course, a great thing!

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