| Spring is almost here and you're thinking about | | | | set all loose nails and screw heads. Replace any |
| garden decor of your home. A backyard | | | | boards that are unsafe. |
| landscape or home garden area can increase the | | | | 4. Pull old plants and turn the dirt, add some fresh |
| value of your home or decrease its curb appeal. | | | | soil and fertilizer to all your pots and window |
| We know we shouldn't judge a book by its cover | | | | boxes as well as any area you will be planting. Fill |
| but the outside of your home does influence its | | | | any holes in the yard with a little of this mixture. |
| overall attractiveness to a potential guest or | | | | 5. The ideal time to trim back trees is fall but if |
| buyer. The outside of a home tells you a little | | | | you didn't get it done then do it now. Trim any |
| about what's inside and the people that live there. | | | | hedges and bushes as well. Trim bushes and trees |
| A little investment of time and money in your | | | | to give them shape and hardiness and increase |
| yard and garden decorations could mean big | | | | the vision around your home for beauty and |
| benefits for you. | | | | safety. |
| Before you give it too much thought, get out | | | | 6. Clean up all branches and large debris. Rake the |
| there and clean the yard where you will be setting | | | | yard to loosen and remove dead grass and |
| up your backyard garden area. | | | | leaves, pull weeds from around trees, sidewalks |
| 1. The most obvious place to start is mowing the | | | | and decking. |
| lawn and getting rid of any weeds you can. There | | | | 7. Use a garden hose and spray the outside of |
| are products that will kill every sort of weed and | | | | the house to clear old bee nests and webs. |
| not harm what grass you have growing. Check | | | | Please remember to watch for our children. About |
| your local hardware store for a variety of | | | | every 4 hours in the U.S. a child is backed over in |
| Ortho(TM) products and choose the one that's | | | | a driveway or parking lot. Children like to play in |
| right for your yard. | | | | and around cars, please be sure to: Always Turn |
| 2. Clean any cement areas with a mild detergent | | | | Off Your Car|Lock the Doors|and Take The Keys |
| and use a push broom for scrubbing spots and | | | | Check around your car to make sure it is clear of |
| sweeping away the dirt and water. For grease | | | | all obstacles and children before you back up. |
| stains you can try Lestoil(TM) or TSP (short for | | | | These 7 tips for easy backyard landscaping are a |
| tri sodium phosphate) both are excellent for | | | | basic necessity to your overall design. Once these |
| removing grease and are inexpensive. | | | | steps are take you could have a new outlook on |
| 3. Clean wooden decks the same way; be sure to | | | | the beauty of your home and will help you plan |
| wash away all detergent. Scrub or scrape any | | | | how to plan for your outdoor garden living area. |
| peeling paint or finish. Sand any rough spots and | | | | |