(ARA) - The hectic
pace of life seems to slow down during the summer –
kids are out of school, families are on vacation,
the long evenings are made for relaxing. But any
homeowner knows that with summer comes yard work.
Don’t let your yard work cut into your enjoyment of
the all-too-brief summer months.
Of course you want your yard to look beautiful.
Enjoying the fruits of your labor in terms of a
gorgeous garden and well-manicured lawn are what
makes being outside so enjoyable. But you don’t have
to spend every free moment to get the maximum
impact.
Start with a well-planned landscape to help minimize
upkeep. Choose plants that are right for your
climate. Gardeners in areas with shorter summers,
like Minnesota, won’t be able to plant the same
things as those who garden in parts of the country
that have more temperate weather. That doesn’t mean
your garden can’t be an explosion of color and
variety, it just means you need to choose wisely.
Perennials and native plants that come back year
after year make gardening easier, too. After the
first season, you won’t have to spend as much time
planting, although you’ll probably want to fill in
with colorful annuals.
Add a generous layer of mulch to your garden beds.
This not only protects delicate plant roots from the
heat of the mid-day summer sun, it also provides a
barrier to weeds. After all, you have better things
to do than weed. Consider a drip irrigation system
for your flowers. Your plants will have the right
amount of water all the time, and you won’t have to
lug the watering can or the hose across the yard.
You can simplify lawn care as well. Instead of
spending time raking up and bagging your grass
clippings, simply leave them on the lawn to serve as
mulch. Unless it’s been a long time between mowings
and the grass is really long, you won’t even notice
the clippings. An in-ground sprinkler system saves
you from watering the lawn yourself, but if you use
a sprinkler attached to the hose, remember that one
good, long soak is better for the lawn than more
frequent short waterings.
Your lawn and patio furniture should be low
maintenance as well. Furniture made of wood can
require restaining, while metal furniture can get
chipped and peel. Minnesota-based By The Yard
manufactures furniture made from recycled plastic
milk jugs that is stylish, attractive and virtually
maintenance-free. A quick spray with the garden hose
is all it takes to keep this furniture looking new.
The company offers more than 70 different pieces,
all available in six colors, including white, brown,
green, grey, sandtone and weathered wood. Choose
from rockers, Adirondack styles, benches, lounge
chairs and bar height tables and chairs.
The plastic lumber is colorfast, so it never needs
repainting, and it is impervious to all types of
weather from freezing temperatures to blistering
heat. It can withstand moist or dry climates. “We’ve
tested our products in Alaska, the Arizona desert
and the Florida Keys and after 30 years they still
look great,” says company president Deb Anderson.
Because the material weighs about 20 percent more
than cedar, it won’t blow around outside like
lightweight furniture does. The material is also
extremely flexible, which makes it as comfortable as
it is durable, even without cushions. Best of all,
you can leave it out year ‘round, always ready to
relax and enjoy.
Visit www.bytheyard.net to see the complete
collection of outdoor furniture or call (877)
220-0448 for a free color catalog.
Courtesy of ARA Content
