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Put a gloomy, dreary day to good use: prep your deck |
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Now is the time to get outside and prepare outdoor living spaces for the entertainment season. While sunny days are perfect for fertilizing the lawn, planting flowers and laying mulch, don't waste those gray, overcast days, which are great for other DIY projects. One task that can be tackled on a dreary day is prepping and cleaning your deck for upcoming barbecues and get-togethers. |
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Getting to the root of grub problems |
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You water, fertilize and give your lawn all the TLC it needs, yet come late-summer you still find unsightly brown patches scattered across the turf. If the turf in these spots can easily be pulled away from the ground, you most likely have a grub problem. And chances are if you don't act quickly these voracious pests may spread and cause significant damage to your lawn. |
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What to look for in a new lawn mower |
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Ready to get the lawn in shape, but your mower isn't? If it's time for a new companion on your lawn maintenance missions, there are a few things to think about before buying. If you choose a new lawn mower wisely, you won't have to worry about hearing a sputter when you pull the cord or turn the key for years to come. |
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Practical meets pretty: Container gardening for beauty and bounty |
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Container gardening is a great alternative for people who don't have the time or space for a full garden or flowerbed. Often, however, container gardeners may feel they have to choose between beauty and practicality. When you can only plant so many containers, what do you fill them with - flowers or veggies? |
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Easy ways to create fast, functional, fun outdoor 'land-escapes' |
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Adding useful space, enjoyment, appeal and value to homes, outdoor living spaces continue to be a popular home improvement project. While the economy slowly recovers, many budget-conscious homeowners are looking for simple, cost-effective ways to transform their homes' exteriors into inviting outdoor "land-escapes" that can be enjoyed year around. |
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Sophisticated sun control saves energy and makes life easier |
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Do you ever wish you could create an outdoor environment that would be comfortable and safe from the sun, while also having a positive impact on the environment? This can be your reality with motorized awnings, window coverings and rolling shutters. Motorization has many benefits, one of which is reducing heat gain and loss, creating a more energy efficient home. |
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Create a relaxing outdoor haven at home |
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Nothing is more relaxing than a breath of fresh air, which is likely the reason why the lines between indoors and out have blurred immensely. More homeowners are moving their living rooms outside to well-appointed patios and decks, furnishing these spaces with all the comforts of their favorite indoor gathering spaces. |
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Fresh ideas for elegant outdoor entertaining |
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When it comes to having friends and family over for summer gatherings, first thoughts often turn to late afternoon barbecues with sizzling burgers, plastic cups and paper plates. If that's your idea of outdoor entertaining, maybe it's time to get out of the house. |
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How to light up your nights |
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Starry evenings and backyard entertainment go hand-in-hand. When the sun goes down, the right landscape lighting can turn any backyard into a stylish outdoor living space. With so many options, it's easy to fill your nights with light to enhance security, decor and entertainment. |
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Simple fixes deliver resort style to your own backyard |
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Even though the economy is getting better, you may still hesitate to spend your hard-earned or hard-saved cash on something as transient as a luxury summer vacation. Instead of splashing money away on travel, why not bring the luxury home by creating a resort-like outdoor environment that will both enhance your enjoyment and improve the value of your house? |
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Create an outdoor patio that's fit for the cover of a magazine |
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As the weather gets nicer, there's nothing better than expanding your living space to the great outdoors. Luckily, it's easy and affordable to create a comfortable and chic outdoor room that's perfectly put together. Use these quick tips and inspiring ideas to transform your deck, porch or patio into one you'll be proud to show off. |
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Hot tips for cool crops: Get growing on your fall garden |
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You might think the end of summer means bidding farewell to fresh, homegrown veggies. Not so - many cool-season crops hit their heyday as autumn temperatures drop, and some even taste better when nipped by a light frost. Here are some tips for growing a fall vegetable garden. |
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Five top trends in patio design |
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When does a trend become a tradition? With continued interest in creating great outdoor living spaces, the trend for jazzing up the backyard may just be on the verge of becoming a staple of the American home, and as much a requirement as a great kitchen or welcoming bath. Here are five hot trends in patio design. |
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How to make growing your own vegetables as earth-friendly as possible |
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There was a time when it was the norm to go out in the yard and pull fresh vegetables up from the soil. At some point over the years, we moved from the goodness of home-grown vegetables toward processed foods and microwave dinners. Now consumers are becoming more aware of the financial value of growing their own vegetables, and how doing so can bolster the health of their families and of the earth. |
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Tips for keeping your garden truly organic |
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The trend for gardening at home continues to grow - and people are taking a particular interest in raising their flowers and vegetables organically. With such prominent figures as Michelle Obama taking public initiatives in organic gardening, more and more products that cater to the trend are appearing. |
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Green power makes lawn and garden care more eco-friendly |
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When the sun shines on a beautiful summer day, it's easy to gauge how important our yards are. Take a walk around your neighborhood and you'll likely see a majority of your neighbors out mowing lawns, pulling weeds, cutting flowers and more. And once the work of maintaining the yard is done, it becomes the scene of garden parties, backyard barbeques and games like bocce and croquet. |
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Outdoor lighting tops the list of easy weekend projects |
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Summer is a great time for outdoor home improvement projects, but it's also supposed to be a time to relax and have fun with family and friends. That makes quick-to-do projects that add to the "family fun factor" appealing to homeowners, who also need to spend their limited home improvement dollars wisely. |
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Is your house ready for summer? Here's a first aid kit for outdoor fixes |
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Are you ready to host all of those summer barbecues and impromptu get-togethers that summer brings? And the bigger question - is your house ready? The season's beautiful weather ushers in a slew of home repairs that are needed to get ready for hosting guests. Whether it's a broken bird bath, a loose stone on a walkway, or a broken patio chair, there are some things you need to take care of before you welcome your friends and family. |
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Smart ways to save money on summer home improvement projects |
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With summer in the air, you're just itching to get that home improvement project going. It's a great time to install a rain garden, improve storm-water runoff in your yard, redo your windows or siding, or even change the look of one of the rooms inside your house with new paint and furniture. |
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What you need to know about protecting your ash trees |
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Virtually all of the 7 billion ash trees in the United States are at risk for infestation by the emerald ash borer, also known as EAB. You can save your ash trees by acting now and starting a prevention program. |
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Bring the sunshine and backyard into your home this summer |
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Warm weather means it's an ideal time to redo or create a new outdoor living space that you can enjoy all summer. When designing your ideal backyard, add a new patio door to your plans to help bring the sunshine, fresh air and outdoor fun into your home. |
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Easy ideas for elegant outdoor summer entertaining |
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To really impress your guests this summer, give your outdoor soirees a little extra elegance that goes beyond the usual grill-out. The good news is that it's easier than you'd imagine to create an ambiance that is welcoming and sophisticated. |
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Four simple projects to help sell your home fast |
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You may have noticed an increase in the number of "for sale" signs around your neighborhood, and for good reason: Studies show that home listings increase this time of year, as homeowners want to get their families settled before the next school year begins. If you are thinking of selling your home in today's tough market, the experts recommend completing a few projects that will help your home look its best and stand out from the crowd. |
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How to get the most out of your mower |
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Keeping your lawn looking green and trim is hard work in itself. The last thing you want is to find out the engine on your lawn mower is not up to the challenge. Fortunately, with a few simple procedures you can keep your lawn mower or riding tractor running smoothly throughout the season and beyond. |
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Make your deck the safe place for neighborhood fun |
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In every neighborhood, there's always that one house where people love to congregate. Sometimes all it takes is a shady front porch that draws neighbors for a glass of iced tea -- or a backyard deck that becomes the outdoor kitchen, den and dining room, where everyone enjoys hanging out. |
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Your pool can be a safer paradise |
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As the weather warms, swimming pool owners look forward to relaxing around their pools with their family and friends. With "layers of protection" in place, pool owners can ensure their yard is a safer oasis of family pleasure and relaxation. |
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Create your own relaxing outdoor oasis this summer |
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It's summer time again and the living is easy - at least it's supposed to be. But when mosquitos invade your yard, it's tough to enjoy fun in the sun. Lasting summer memories often begin with a pleasant environment in your own backyard. But the first step is keeping the mosquitoes at bay. |
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Four ways to improve your home's beauty and resale value |
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In a tough housing market, homeowners want to improve their home's beauty and functionality, while adding resale value. This may include choosing products that reduce maintenance, save energy, improve appearance and offer protection from the damaging forces of nature. Here are some tips for problem areas that could benefit from the latest home solutions. |
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Ten easy ways to use roses in the landscape |
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Somewhere between 5,000 and 3,000 years ago, a fellow hoping to impress his lady love was the first to give a rose as a symbol of love. Flash forward to today, and roses remain the enduring emblem of love and romance. Fortunately, however, modern breeding has made it easier than ever to add roses to your garden and landscaping. |
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