4 great ways to create an outdoor living space

Today more than ever, homeowners are seeking ways to maximize the footprint of their home - both inside the four walls and out. Outdoor environments can serve many purposes and are a perfect way to customize a space that is right for you.

hether you plan to live in your home for years to come, or have an upcoming listing on your mind, now could be a great time to create an outdoor living space.

As you consider creating a beautiful, yet functional outdoor area, here are some key elements to keep in mind:

Outdoor kitchens are in demand

Whether you keep it simple with a built-in grill, some counter space and a sink, or go grand with a brick pizza oven and abundant seating at a granite-topped counter, an outdoor kitchen is becoming a must. In fact, according to Realtor.com, home buyers will pay a premium of more than 26 percent for a home with an outdoor kitchen.

As with the indoor kitchen, many outdoor kitchens include a cooking area, sink, storage and refrigeration. As with your indoor kitchen, the faucet outside can be the perfect marriage of beauty and function. You can find a variety of kitchen faucets from manufacturers such as Danze that fulfill all your outdoor needs. Need the ability to put water exactly where you want it in your outdoor workspace? A pulldown faucet from Danze offers great looks and exceptional versatility.

Media makes it way outdoors

Many of the technology wonders you enjoy indoors are making their way into outdoor environments. From built-in flatscreen TVs that can stream video, to video gaming systems, Wi-Fi and surround sound, outdoor entertainment has gone high tech.

Whenever you're incorporating electronics and electricity in an outdoor environment, weather proofing and proper wiring are essential. Keep these critical aspects in mind while planning your outdoor space, and deciding what media you'll incorporate and where it will be placed.

Bars are big

Outdoor bars, like traditional tikki bars, may increase your home value by nearly 14 percent, according to Realtor.com. Whether you're thinking of adding a bar in tandem with your outdoor kitchen space, or want to simply expand your entertaining area, an outdoor bar requires a few basic elements.

A fully operational sink with a high-functioning bar faucet are a go-to when it comes to outdoor bars.  Storage for beverages and glassware, a drink chiller, ice storage and seating can make your outdoor entertaining area an envy in the neighborhood.

Room for relaxation

While plenty of comfortable, attractive seating tend to be a significant part of outdoor living spaces, modern outdoor spaces are re-defining relaxation and entertainment. In addition to seating and dining areas, homeowners are incorporating recreational elements such as ping pong and billiards tables, putting greens, hot tubs and infinity pools.

Firepits and fireplaces are also popular for adding ambiance, and deliver the added bonus of extending the outdoor living season well into cooler months. Whether you choose to build a full-wall fireplace that doubles as a brick pizza oven, or stick with a more modest, portable firepit, adding heat and comfort to your outdoor space can also add value (upwards of 21 percent according to Realtor.com). 

Outdoor living spaces offer a multitude of benefits and creative options. Even the simplest of designs can make a home feel larger, increase the property's resale value and bring years of enjoyment.

Study Uncovers Americans’ Outdoor Living Trends and Aspirations

uGreen believes more life should be lived outside, where we are happier, more active and more connected with ourselves, with loved ones and with nature. To better understand the trends, sentiments and aspirations that Americans associate with being outside, TruGreen conducted a national survey. The results provide insight into not only how we spend our time outside, but also how we think about our outside life. TruGreen Spokesperson Jason Cameron provides a review of the survey results in a new video.

• The Great Outdoors is Calling: More than half of Americans surveyed said they want to spend more time outside, and about two–thirds of all respondents, or 68%, say they are spending less time outside compared to five years ago, reflecting the tendency that perhaps we aren’t stepping outside into the fresh air as often as we’d like to–or perhaps even as often as we should–for a healthy balanced lifestyle.
• Get Outside, Change the World: The belief that time spent outside brings real benefits is substantial. A tremendous 87% of Americans said that if everyone spent more time outside, there would be great health benefits and long–term benefits for society.
• You’re Out!:  Overwhelmingly, Americans seem to believe putting down the cell phone for a pick–up game of ball is in order. 92% of those surveyed said it’s important for children to replace video game/internet time with time outside. 72% also said it’s important for themselves to replace video game/internet with time outside. This reflects the belief that while our lives have more digital distractions pulling us indoors, there’s no technology that can replace our happiness and healthiness that comes from a life lived outside.
• Time for Fun in the Sun: Americans spend an average of 309 hours in their yard per year, which is close to two weeks of getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Moreover most Americans (86%) who are lucky enough to have a yard consider this green space to be an important part of their life, and it shows. Yard owners spend an estimated 50 hours more per year outside than Americans without a yard. That’s more than a full weekend spent enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. Interesting side note: Men spend an estimated 26 more hours per year in their yard than women.
• Greener is Better: One third of homeowners said that they spend more time outside because they have an improved yard. Moreover, 46% of all Americans surveyed said if they had a greener, more maintained and healthier lawn, they would spend more time outside. These sentiments underscore TruGreen’s belief that a happier, more fulfilled, and more connected life lived outside starts with a healthy, beautiful lawn as the foundation.
• It’s a Family Affair: Three out of five of Americans agree that their yard is their favorite place at home to spend quality time with family, which is music to TruGreen’s ears. An amazing two–thirds of Americans said their fondest family memories involves spending time together with friends and family in their yard. These days, those memories are often being made at barbeques and cookouts with more than four out of five Americans (82%) hosting these friendly gatherings.

“At TruGreen, we are committed to helping people live life outside, and spend more time

enjoying their yards with family, friends and neighbors,” said TruGreen President and CEO David Alexander. “We believe a beautiful lawn inspires beautiful connections, which often become our fondest memories and can even lead to creating new traditions. We’ve always felt that we are happier and healthier when we’re outside- and now our survey results are showing that America agrees.”

Myths Vs. Reality: Get Your Lawn Off To The Right Start With Tips From The Pros

After another chilly winter for much of the nation, springtime is when many people will roll up their sleeves and spend time in their yards. After tuning up the mower and sharpening the blades, most homeowners seek out the best ways to care for their lawns. But common lawn care myths and questions abound.

In celebration of National Lawn Care Month this April and to help homeowners get their spring and summer lawn care off to a great start, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) offers a series of myth-busting tips from landscape industry professionals.

Myth #1: You can water your lawn and landscape any time of day.  Reality: Water is a valuable resource; make every drop of irrigation count! Watering the lawn in the early mornings or evenings after sunset minimizes evaporation, it's the best time for water to penetrate deep into the soil.

Myth #2: It's ok to cut the grass very short. Reality: Most landscape professionals advise to never cut more than one-third of the grass leaf at a time. Mowing at a finished cut height of 3 to 3.5 inches tall throughout the summer is generally recommended. The lawn will need less water, will be more resistant to weeds and will have a deeper, greener color. Use a sharp mower blade to prevent tearing grass blades. A crisp and clean cut will help prevent a "brown tip" appearance.

Myth #3: It's best to water your lawn every day. Reality: Watering your lawn every three days is better than daily watering. Deep, rather than shallow lawn watering, is recommended to nurture roots.  One inch of water to 12 inches of soil is the preferred ratio for watering actively growing grass.

Myth #4: If you want to replace your lawn, you should do it in the spring, when plants get ready to bloom. 
Reality: The best time to sow seed is in the late summer and early fall when the temperatures are more consistent and highly competitive weeds, like crabgrass, are at the end of their life cycle.

Myth #5: Early spring is the best time to fertilize the lawn. Reality: Since different species of grass prefer nutrients at different times of the year, be sure to use the correct fertilizer, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.  A slow release fertilizer allows for more even and consistent feeding over a longer period of time than a quick release fertilizer.  And remember to use fertilizers responsibly by cleaning up any that lands on streets, sidewalks or driveways where they can be washed away into lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Myth #6: A garden hose is more cost-efficient than installing an irrigation system. Reality: Many landscape professionals recommend installing an irrigation system with smart controllers which have sensors that water when needed. Smart irrigation can offer a cost savings of 15 to 20 percent on water bills. Converting irrigation spray nozzles from sprinklers to rotating nozzles will spread heavy droplets of water at a slower pace, which makes them more targeted and effective.

Myth #7: You have to irrigate to have a healthy and beautiful lawn. Reality: Grasses are built to endure long periods of drought by entering a state of dormancy. When temperatures and moisture levels are at their extreme, the growing point of the grass plant, the crown, will shut off the grass blades, turning them brown.  In almost all instances, once the heat and drought stresses have gone, the crowns will begin to send up new shoots.  There's nothing wrong with irrigating to avoid dormancy, but "embracing the brown" for a couple of weeks in the summer is just fine too.

"Our members are passionate about creating beautiful and healthy lawns and landscapes for homeowners and communities to enjoy year round," said Jim McCutcheon, president of NALP.  "Whether homeowners hire a landscape professional to care for their yard, or learn a few tips from the pros, one of our goals is to provide the best advice possible."

For more helpful tips on taking care of your lawn and landscape, or to get advice on how to hire a landscape professional, visitwww.loveyourlandscape.com.  NALP is partnering with the Turfgrass Producers International and The Lawn Institute to Promote National Lawn Care Month.

Easy Ways to Enhance Outdoor Spaces

The arrival of sun and climbing temperatures mark the end of months in hibernation and the ideal time to refresh your outdoor living space. While constructing a new deck can be a major undertaking, the planning process doesn't have to be, thanks to a wealth of online tools and resources available at your fingertips. In fact, it's now possible to design the deck of your dreams entirely on your favorite electronic device.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150326/194686

During the past several years, there has been an influx of online resources to help homeowners create and plan their ideal outdoor living spaces. Following are just a few of the helpful and handy digital destinations for those looking to make their dream decks a reality.

Visual social channels. Today's social channels are packed with inspirational images. You can peruse thousands of decks and outdoor living projects on Houzz and Pinterest. You'll also find ideas from many building materials brands and suppliers on these channels, as well as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Magazine and manufacturer websites. For additional inspiration, you can flip through the digital pages of your favorite home and garden magazines via their websites, and tour the online inspiration galleries of decking manufacturers and contractors. Each destination offers a unique experience, along with valuable information about different brands and products.

Digital apps. As you transition into the design phase, seek out an online application that allows you to experiment with various combinations and configurations. The award-winning Trex Deck Color Visualizer app for iPad is one such tool. This virtual resource allows users to experiment with the colors of various deck elements, as well as different railing configurations, to design a completely customized outdoor living space. Once the user has created an ideal design scheme, the finished photo may be saved to the iPad and shared with friends, family or potential contractors.

Interactive planning tools. Those further along in the planning process can take advantage of other online resources such as sample deck plans and video tutorials. Additionally, many major manufacturers offer user-friendly deck design tools on their websites that enable homeowners to specify dimensions, materials and color selections to bring their dream decks to life.

With the many tools and resources available online, designing your dream outdoor living space can be nearly as much fun as enjoying the finished product. For more information and inspiration, visit www.trex.com.

5 Ways to Increase Curb Appeal, Value

Whether you're planning to list your home for sale soon or you're simply working to maintain features that attracted you to the charming abode in the first place, careful attention to curb appeal is a must.

In the real estate world, the saying to avoid judging a book by its cover does not apply. The exterior of your home sends an important message about its character, and even its value, making people eager to see what is inside. This first impression sets expectations for the entire property for potential buyers, appraisers and even your guests.

Keep your house looking young and inviting with these five home care tips:

1. Look at the landscaping. Curb appeal is about the whole picture your home presents, which includes your lawn, shrubs and features such as flower beds and rock gardens. Keep grass neatly trimmed and prune vegetation for a well-kept look. Also give your home a thorough look from the street. Are trees or shrubs obscuring an appealing architectural detail? Does vegetation dwarf your home, making it seem small? Would a pop of color from some flowering plants add to the overall look?
2. Beware of dingy dirt. Because you see your home every day, you may not realize the exterior has become dull with a layer of dust and dirt. An adjustable pressure washer with Briggs & Stratton POWERflow+ technology will let you wash siding, garage doors and shutters without stripping paint as well as delicate items such as glass top patio tables. Then switch to the high flow mode, which delivers up to five gallons per minute for extended reach to clean second story windows, eaves and gutters or to blast away hard-to-reach cobwebs and insect nests.
3. Update with paint. If a thorough washing leaves a ho-hum look behind, it may be time to revisit your home's exterior color scheme. Even modest adjustments, from pale beige to a deeper tan, for example, can completely alter the look. Or, focus on adding color to the trim, door and shutters if new, all-over color is out of the question.
4. Wash where you walk. The favorable impression created by impeccable landscaping and a fresh, clean facade can be swept away in an instant if sidewalks, driveways and patios are unsightly. Skip the messy buckets and brush, and instead reach for a high pressure, high flow pressure washer such as those featuring Briggs & Stratton's POWERflow+ technology, which include adjustable pressure and flow as well as power-soaping detergent tanks to let you clean tough stains then quickly wash them away with a single machine.
5. Dote on the details. Decks, fences, mailboxes, birdbaths, gazebos and other decorative features all factor into your home's exterior image. Thoroughly clean these items, repair any loose or broken pieces such as fence slats, and apply a fresh coat of paint or stain, if needed.

Redesigned Survey Reveals Latest Residential Landscape Design Trends

Sustainable and low-maintenance design are the top trends for residential landscape projects, according to the 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).  

Landscape architects were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2015. Respondents expected the greatest demand for ecologically sensitive projects intended to preserve the environment, conserve water and reduce landscape maintenance.

Here are the top ten project types with the expected highest consumer demand:

• Native plants (85 percent)
• Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants (83 percent)
• Food/vegetable gardens (79 percent)
• Fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent)
• Low-maintenance landscapes (78 percent)
• Permeable paving (77 percent)
• Drip/water-efficient irrigation (74 percent)
• Rain gardens (74 percent)
• Lighting (72 percent)
• Rainwater/graywater harvesting (71 percent)

"Consumers care about designed landscapes that are attractive, easy to take care of and eco-friendly," says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. "The survey shows that homeowners increasingly see opportunities to improve the environment right in their own backyard."

The survey asked landscape architecture professionals about the estimated popularity of various residential design elements for 2015. The survey was fielded February 13 through February 27, 2015, with 581 responding. ASLA redesigned the survey for 2015 and introduced a new methodology to more clearly rank the popularity of different types of landscape projects.

The top three most popular outdoor design elements include fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent), lighting (72 percent) and grills (63 percent). The top landscape and garden elements include native plants (85 percent), food and vegetable gardens (79 percent) and low-maintenance landscapes (78 percent). Pergolas (51 percent), decks (45 percent) and fencing (42 percent) are expected to be the most popular outdoor structures.

The hottest sustainable design elements include native/adapted drought-tolerant plants (83 percent), permeable paving (77 percent) and drip/water-efficient irrigation (74 percent).

Forty percent of respondents noted that the most popular outdoor recreation amenities for 2015 will include spa features—hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools, and indoor/outdoor saunas—and swimming pools.

For more landscape ideas for your home, and to find a professional in your area, visit www.asla.org/residentialinfo.

Don't Let Mosquitoes Take the Fun Out of Summer

Keep Your Family Safe From Biting Bugs and the Diseases They Carry

ST. LOUIS -- When the weather's just right for enjoying the backyard, the last thing you want is to have your good time spoiled by pesky insects. Fortunately, there are many preventative measures you can take to protect family and friends from mosquitoes and other biting bugs.

Keep Bugs at Bay 
Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or traveling to exotic locales, use a personal insect repellent as your main line of defense against biting bugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using a repellent when spending time outdoors as a highly effective way to minimize risk of contracting West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

When you're choosing a repellent, consider the length of time you plan to stay outdoors. DEET-based repellents, such as Unscented Backwoods Cutter® and Cutter® All Family® products, are recommended for those who plan to spend longer periods of time outdoors in more heavily infested conditions. Other options for families are oil of lemon eucalyptus, found in Cutter® Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, and geraniol-based products, such as Cutter® Natural Insect Repellent.

Also, treat your lawn with an all-purpose, EPA-registered lawn spray labeled for use against mosquitoes. Cutter® Backyard™ Bug Control Spray Concentrate, for example, creates a barrier against biting bugs in your lawn for up to 8 weeks of control. Spray over the entire yard, including ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers, for up to two months of residual protection from mosquitoes.

Last, use an area repellent around your patio, deck or campsite to create a zone of mosquito protection while you're spending time outdoors. Easy-to-use, all-weather citronella products, such as Cutter® CitroGuard® American Holiday Triple Wick Candle, use the natural repelling properties of citronella oil to repel mosquitoes and other flying bugs for up to 40 hours.

Control Mosquitoes 
In addition to effective treatment on your skin and clothing and around your home, limiting mosquito activity around your lawn can also decrease your exposure:

• Remove the places mosquitoes breed. At least once a week, empty water from flower pots, bird baths, barrels and pet dishes. Empty and change water in fountains, bird baths, wading pools, rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
• Cover swimming pools, and make sure you're not allowing water to collect on the top of your swimming pool cover. Clean out leaves or debris from rain gutters.
• Avoid overwatering your lawn – your grass should be getting about 1 inch of water per week from a combination of rain and watering. If your lawn is still soggy several hours after watering or if water is pooling on the surface, you have too much moisture.

Mosquito-Borne DiseasesNot only are mosquitoes pesky, but they can also be dangerous. Mosquito-borne diseases affect millions of people each year worldwide, and they're generally at their peak during the summer months. Keep an eye out for reports of several mosquito-borne diseases on the rise in recent years:

• West Nile virus is the most commonly reported mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Although only one in five people who contract the virus develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches or vomiting, the virus can cause serious neurological illnesses that can be fatal, such as encephalitis or meningitis. Experts expect the virus to remain a domestic health concern for years to come.
• Although Dengue fever is primarily thought to be a tropical disease, occasional cases have been detected in southern states, including Texas and Florida, in recent years. As many as 400 million people are infected with dengue fever in the tropics and subtropics annually. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache behind the eyes, rash and muscle pain.
• If you're planning to travel outside of the United States this summer, be aware of the risk of mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus. Previously only found in Africa and Asia and most recently in the Caribbean, the virus has been confirmed in several U.S. states among recent travelers to those regions. The painful chikungunya (pronounced chik-en-gun-ye) virus causes fever, joint pain and swelling, headache or rash, according to the CDC. The chikungunya virus is highly uncomfortable but not deadly.

Don't Be "Board" With Your Deck: Tips for Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J., Memorial Day holiday less than two weeks away, you may have realized your backyard deck is a wreck. But even if you have no deck at all, it may be time to start dreaming of something bigger and better.

-- With the

Thompson's® WaterSeal® has launched its 2014 Deck of Your Dreams Sweepstakes to help transform your dull outdoor space into a vision of perfection, with a grand prize valued at more than $15,000. That includes $10,000 in cash for building or repairing a deck,$5,000 in gift cards from the popular Plow & Hearth (www.plowhearth.com) of home furnishings and an in-person visit from HGTV/diy Network star, Jeff Wilson, who will offer his expert guidance throughout the design and building process. Enter atwww.thompsonswaterseal.com from April 5-October 4.

Past winners have included the Beck family in 2011 (tore out a 250 square foot composite deck and built a 750 square foot deck), the Durands from Minnesota in 2012 (built a 10x18 screened-in deck on their new house) and the Freeman family from Georgia in 2013 (just completed a 12x12 octagon-shaped deck.)

Wilson says that considerations when building a deck include size, shape, built-ins and type of wood. "But there are also a lot of creative choices to make once the deck is finished," he commented. "It's no different than finishing a family room or any indoor space." To choose a color of deck stain, Wilson suggests referencing the color wheel, and choosing a color that is opposite of your house color for a complimentary effect.

"The new line of Thompson's® WaterSeal® Waterproofing Stain at The Home Depot® come in the five most popular colors – Acorn Brown, Maple Brown, Harvest Gold, Sequoia Redwood and Woodland Cedar – which will work with most home styles," he said.

And since "deck-cessories" make the deck, Plow & Hearth offers the following tips to up the style, function and comfort factor:

• When selecting furniture for outdoor use, be sure to pay attention to the materials from which it was made. Woods like teak, cedar, eucalyptus and cypress are durable, long-lasting and require little maintenance. While wicker can be made of natural materials like rattan and bamboo, it is often crafted of resin—a durable, low-maintenance, easy-to-clean material. Wicker is often lightweight, which makes it easy to move around to create new seating looks whenever you wish.
• The addition of deck planters can really make a deck come alive (literally!) Self-watering planters are an ideal choice, because their reservoir system ensures plants get the water they need to grow.
• It's important to find the right style of furniture for an outdoor space. Adirondack chairs remain a favorite outdoor option. Rockers and gliders offer a traditional, comfortable way to enjoy a leisurely afternoon on your deck.
• Adding a trellis is an effective and affordable means to add vertical interest to an otherwise boring wall on the deck. Trellises can be almost any size.
• Looking for the perfect lighting so the deck can be enjoyed late into the evening? Solar lighting is an eco-friendly, energy-saving option, plus it requires no wiring or cords, which means installation is quick and easy. (And adequate lighting even makes the deck safer for use at night.)

Quick Tip for First Time Home Sellers

Ten Common Myths About Lawn Care Dispelled

HERNDON, Va. -- April is National Lawn Care Month, and the time of year when homeowners turn to the care and upkeep of their lawns with the goal of seeing their yard and landscape flourish. It's also the time of year when landscape professionals must address some common misconceptions about when and how to tend to the lawn for maximum success.

"Our job as landscape professionals is to help advise and emphasize ways to save time and money on lawn care and, oftentimes, that means we need to dispel some fairly persistent myths," said Glenn Jacobsen, Landscape Industry Certified, president of PLANET. 

PLANET, the national landscape industry association, asked its professional landscape members to name the 10 most common lawn care myths:

1. Myth: The best time to replace the lawn is in the spring, as plants get ready to bloom.  Reality: Sowing seed in the spring sets one up for potential problems, as heat sets in during the summer months and weeds compete for space. The best time to sow seed is in the fall when the temperatures are more consistent and highly competitive weeds, like crabgrass, have gone dormant.
2. Myth: Water new plants every day to prevent them from drying out.Reality: Overwatering kills as many plants as lack of water. It is better to make sure you are wetting the entire root system of your new plant and then allow the soil to dry to the point that it is only moist. 
3. Myth: To have a healthy lawn, dethatch in the spring.Reality: Thatch is a layer of living and dead plant material, including the crown, roots and stems of the turfgrass plant. The brown on the surface at the beginning of the spring will slowly recede into the background all by itself as new leaves emerge. While dethatching is a common and sometimes necessary practice, it should be done only when thatch is excessive.  
4. Myth: It's a good idea to remove clippings after mowing.Reality: There is a misconception that grass clippings contribute significantly to thatch. Grass clippings are mostly water and decompose rapidly, returning significant amounts of fertilizer to the lawn. Research shows that up to one-third of applied fertilizer can be recycled by simply returning clippings.
5. Myth: Golf courses cut their grass short, so it's a good idea to do the same.Reality: Golf courses use incredibly sophisticated and expensive mowers to achieve a short height of cut. Check the appropriate mowing height for your species of grass, but in general, never cut more than one-third of the grass leaf at a time.
6. Myth: Lawns are not "organic."Reality: Sometimes, lawns are thought of as areas that don't provide environmental benefits. However, they are actually highly complex and dynamic organic systems that not only contain turfgrasses, but also earthworms, fungi, soil microbes and other life forms that coexist and make possible the lawns we all enjoy for recreation, sports and aesthetics.
7. Myth: The best time to fertilize your lawn is in early spring.Reality: Different varieties of grass like nutrients at different times of the year. You need to use the right fertilizer source, at theright rate, at the right time, and in the right place. Cool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, are usually given nutrients in fall and early spring when it is cooler. Warm-season grasses, like Bermuda grass, usually like nutrients in late spring and early fall when it is warmer.
8. Myth: The products lawn care companies use are dangerous and more powerful than what a homeowner can use.Reality: Most of the products professionals use can be purchased at the garden center, but the difference is that professionals are regulated and, by law, have to use the proper amounts, apply them correctly and dispose of them properly.  
9. Myth: While digging in my lawn, I saw a grub worm. I should apply a grub control application every year.  Reality: Most of the time, grubs don't attack fescue lawns because of their deeper root zone. Grubs in small numbers are not harmful to a lawn; in fact, they are beneficial, as they aerate the soil. It's having too many that can be harmful. Call a professionalto evaluate your lawn.
10. Myth: Watering the lawn with the garden hose saves more money than installing an irrigation system.Reality: Consider installing an irrigation system that uses smart controllers which have sensors that only allow for watering when conditions require it. Smart irrigation can offer a cost savings of approximately 15–20 percent on water bills. Convert irrigation spray nozzles from sprinklers to rotating nozzles which spread heavy droplets of water at a slower pace which makes them more targeted and effective.

For more tips on taking care of your lawn or to hire a landscape professional, visit www.loveyourlandscape.com

Record Snowstorms a Blessing in Disguise for Home Gardeners

WARMINSTER, Pa. -- While multiple winter storms continue to cause widespread disruption across the nation, garden experts at Burpee, one of America's oldest seed and plant companies, predict a silver lining. George Ball, Burpee's chairman, suggests that by providing much needed moisture for springtime plantings, and insulating perennial plants that are dormant in winter, the record snowfall will be a blessing in disguise for home gardeners.

Winter storm Titan, the 20th of the 2013-14 North American winter storm season, affected millions of people across the country earlier this week, with the heaviest snowfall in central Penn. The cold weather has not been confined to the northeast however: winter storms have reached deep into the south and Midwest to deliver significant snowfall in areas that do not normally experience it.

"A few feet of snow provide an 'igloo effect' that insulates plants and shields vulnerable root systems from potentially destructive temperature fluctuations," noted Ball.

According to Ball, a past president of the American Horticultural Society, in Washington, D.C., the deep snow cover actually helps warm hibernating plants, providing a "security blanket" that protects root crowns, and in some species, the upper root system. 

"Under a heavy snow covering, the soil can be 25 degrees warmer than the air temperature," Ball pointed out. "The thick snow covering creates a finely calibrated "drip system" that keeps plant roots underground optimally watered even in frigid conditions."

Ball advised that when the warmer weather arrives, the resulting snow melt will help keep water tables well-supplied for upcoming plantings for the 2014 home gardening season.

Make Lawn Mower Engine Tune-ups a Rite of Spring

MILWAUKEE,- The engine experts at Briggs & Stratton (NYSE: BGG) are making it easier than ever to get your lawn mower ready for spring. From a tune-up kit to an oil evacuation kit to free oil recycling, an engine tune-up for your push lawn mower engine takes only 30 minutes or less. Riding mower engines may require an oil filter or fuel filter, which could add five to 10 minutes to the job.

While many homeowners perform annual tune-ups on their lawn mower engines, there are still many across the country that don't perform this important basic small engine maintenance, putting their equipment at risk.

"Homeowners simply want their lawn mower to start when they need it for that first cut of spring and a simple tune-up can make the difference between a hassle-free start and frustrating trips for service," said Synoilva Shaw, with the Briggs & Stratton marketing department. "While the source of most starting problems is old gasoline, which goes stale in about 30 days, a tune-up can help extend the life of the mower engine and keep it running at peak performance."

Lawn Mower Tune-Up in 4 Easy Steps

Briggs & Stratton research shows that tuning up a push mower engine can reduce engine emissions by as much as 30 percent and involves just four easy steps:

1. Changing the mower oil
2. Replacing the air filter
3. Replacing the spark plug
4. Adding fuel preservative to the gasoline

Step-by-step video instructions are available online at http://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/videos.

Small Engine Tune-up Kit

A basic push mower engine tune-up kit costs under $12.99 and includes an air filter, spark plug, bottle of oil and a pouch of fuel treatment and stabilizer. A lawn tractor tune-up kit includes the same as a push mower kit with the addition of a fuel and/or oil filter and costs under $39.99. Briggs & Stratton tune-up kits are available for purchase online or at authorized Briggs & Stratton dealers and home improvement stores. 

Oil Evacuation Kits for Lawn Mowers

Two options are available for oil evacuation kits – one that removes oil only and another that removes both oil and fuel. These kits help eliminate the need for consumers to tip the mower to drain the oil during a tune-up, making it easier to change the oil and reducing the possibility of an oil spill in the garage or driveway. Oil evacuation kits costs between $23 and $31 and are available for purchase online at www.briggsandstratton.com or at authorized Briggs & Stratton dealers and home improvement stores. 

Disposing of Used Engine Oil

Participating Briggs & Stratton dealers nationwide make recycling oil easy and have recycled more than 200,000 gallons of used engine oil to date. Simply drop off your used oil in a closed container and let your dealer take care of the rest.

Look Before You Pump

Certain gasoline blends should never be used in lawn mower engines and other small gas engines. Fuel blends containing more than 10 percent ethanol, like E15 or E85 gasoline, or gasoline containing other alcohol blends can damage small gas engines. Repairs required because of the use of these unapproved gasoline blends are not covered under the Briggs & Stratton engine warranty. Look for the "Look Before You Pump" warning logo on new models or find more information from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute atwww.opei.org.

Win a $70,000 Backyard Makover

Is your backyard just run of the mill and nothing special? Not quite the oasis you would like? Are you NOT currently living your backyard dream?

Then enter the Dream Backyard Makeover Contest for a chance to win a $70,000 backyard makeover. You can get the backyard of your dreams courtesy of Archadeck Outdoor Living, North America's largest builder of outdoor living spaces, (www.archadeck.com); Belgard Hardscapes, North America's leading manufacturer of hardscape paver products, (www.belgard.biz); and TimberTech, a leading manufacturer of composite decking and railing materials (www.timbertech.com). To enter, homeowners should visit www.dreambackyardmakeover.com and submit a photo along with a 200 word description of why their backyard is the most deserving.

The Dream Backyard Makeover contest begins February 1, 2013 and runs through April 22, 2013 via Facebook. The grand prize is a complete backyard transformation from Archadeck, Belgard Hardscapes and TimberTech. Second and third place prizes will be the renovation of an existing deck or patio, courtesy of Archadeck, and the installation of an outdoor lighting system provided by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, respectively. Two finalists will be selected at the end of February, March and April, and their entries will be posted on Facebook. On April 23, voting will open for one week so that Archadeck Facebook fans may voice their opinions on the most deserving backyard. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and Facebook fan votes, and winners will be announced in May 2013.

"While many backyards are in need of renovation, we're looking for that special backyard that really stands out for one reason or the other," said Rob Haslip , vice president of Archadeck. "Whether a homeowner wants to create a soothing sanctuary for two or an entertainment area for family and friends, our team will provide the upscale outdoor design that makes their dream come true, utilizing beautiful paver products from Belgard Hardscapes and gorgeous composite decking materials from TimberTech."

Archadeck, established in 1980, has built more than 100,000 projects across the country and is recognized as the largest deck and porch builder in North America. The company's design expertise includes outdoor living rooms, fire features, porches, pergolas, sunrooms and patios — all featuring the latest trends in outdoor leisure enjoyment and functionality.

For full Archadeck Dream Backyard Makeover contest rules, visit: www.dreambackyardmakeover.com.
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1zkY3)