Feed your lawn - starting now

Water is important for lawns, but that’s not enough. Gardening experts tell us the best plan is to apply a good fertilizer every other month from April to October.

“It’s really as easy as that, aroundthree or four times per growing season,” says Scott MacDonald at Scotts Canada, a leader in this field. “The objective is to establish a strong and deep root system. Early spring is the right time to begin, but not too early.”

Here’s a handy little checklist from Scotts Advantage:

• Early Spring: Wait until the sunshine has dried off the initial sogginess. Usually by late April or so, roots are strengthened sufficiently to benefit the most from a feeding. This would also be the right time to consider repairing damaged patches and overseeding your entire lawn to improve overall health.

• Late Spring: Fertilizing again 6-8 weeks later and before the heat of summer gets too intense is also vital. By now lawns are actively using up stored energy, so feeding helps to replace the much-needed nutrients and prepare it for the heat and drought of summer.

• Early Fall: As the days cool off towards the end of summer, lawns are ready to grow again, so fertilizing at this point provides the necessary nutrients to recover from summertime heat, insects, and foot traffic.

• Late Fall: Late autumn is probably the most important feeding of the year. The cool nights, plenty of rain and morning dew create ideal growing conditions, so the fertilizer will strengthen roots, improve winter hardiness, and protect it until spring.

“Be selective when you buy fertilizers as some contain fillers like sand, gravel or sawdust, as much as 30% or more,” MacDonald cautions. “Whereas others, like the Scotts Turf Builder line with the all-in-one particle, are pure food. Every granule is 100% nutrition so you get what you pay for.”

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Fence Me In

Good fences make good neighbours – and the right fence can really make your yard. These steps can help you find a style that works for your space.

Step 1: Determine your needs

First, figure out the purpose of your fence. Do you want it to…

• Provide privacy?
• Beautify your yard?
• Keep kids or pets in?
• Comply with pool safety standards?
• Define your property lines?
• Add to the value of your home?

Determining your needs can help you choose the right fence for you.

Step 2: Choose your style

Private:  A solid-board fence blocks an unattractive view completely, but it also cuts out light and breezes and can make you feel boxed in.

Semi-private:  This style, which can have subtle spacing, louvers or lattice to let in light, is friendly, comfortable, and makes your yard feel bigger.

Open:  Great if you want to enclose your property but don’t want to block it off visually.

Step 3: Select your material

Your options are limited only by your imagination and, of course, your budget.

Chain-link:  Definitely the most cost-effective choice, but not necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing. It’s good for defining boundaries, keeping kids and pets in, and maintaining a sense of openness. If you’ve got a big yard and a small budget, this is the way to go.

Wood:  Styles range from split rail and picket fences to board-on-board styles that look great on both sides and offer privacy, yet let in air and light. The downside to wood? It needs regular maintenance to look good over time.

PVC/vinyl:  Vinyl fencing looks just like painted wood, but you’ll never need to paint it – all you have to do is clean it once a year.

Iron, aluminum or steel:  Use it if you want an open, formal look. Aluminum, which looks like wrought iron but is less expensive, is the most budget-friendly choice. If cost isn’t an issue, custom ironwork is an excellent way to incorporate a fence or gate that’s completely unique.

Natural “fencing”:  Hedges and shrubs reduce noise and dust better than a fence, are less expensive, and look lush and beautiful. You’ll just have to be patient while your “fence” grows in.

A great-looking fence adds tremendous value to your home – whether it’s resale value or your own enjoyment of it over the years. Think carefully about your needs and your personal style, then go ahead and build a fence you’ll love.

Be nice to your neighbours

Talk to them before you do anything. Choose a design that looks good from both sides, and make sure you know exactly where your property lines are.

Think outside the box

You may not need to surround your whole yard to get the privacy you want. Consider using a fence to screen in a sitting area or create an outdoor room.

Maintaining and improving property values is essential for every homeowner. Knowing tips and secrets about landscaping to improve values can make a big difference. Economic turmoil and the declining value of houses has a lot of people worrying about their personal property values. We continue to experience uncertainty as we look at the current status of our country’s economic health. Instead of worrying and obsessing over what’s happening to property values, it’s time to take active steps towards improving value today and for the future. Adding attractive landscapes and improving the curb appeal of property can enhance the property’s value overnight. It may not fetch the optimal asking price right now, but landscaping can be a valuable asset today and tomorrow. The great thing about landscaping is that a large space is not necessary to enhance property value. A small garden area or several small areas are just as good as one big open area.

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Landscaping for Curb Appeal