Category Archives: Lawn & Garden

Essential Home Maintenance Tasks To Complete Every Year

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Taking good care of your home can help ensure it functions well, keeps you comfortable and increases in value over time. There are numerous categories of home maintenance that are important. Some require frequent attention, but others only need to be completed once a year. Here are some of the most vital yearly maintenance tasks to place on your list.

1. Air Conditioning Tune-Up

Your air conditioner works hard during the summer months, and a tune-up service can help reduce the chance of problems during times of continual operation. When you schedule an annual maintenance appointment with an air conditioning magnolia tx professional, he or she can check for repairs, modify settings for optimal performance and change air filters.

2. Pressure Washing

You may not notice how your home’s siding builds up debris and dust over time, but chances are you will notice a significant difference after pressure washing the exterior. Pressure washing can effectively clean dirt and dust off your siding, improving the appearance of your home and reducing the chances of long-term damage from caked-on debris. A pressure washer can also be an excellent tool for cleaning your deck, driveway and concrete walkways.

3. Gutter Cleaning

Your home’s rain gutters are designed to move rainwater and snowmelt from your roof to the correct drainage systems. However, gutters can easily get clogged with leaves, twigs and other debris, making them unable to drain water effectively. Clogged rain gutters can cause rain to leak off the sides of your roof. By cleaning your gutters every year, you can reduce the chances of flooding in your yard and potential damage to your foundation.

Most annual maintenance tasks don’t require a significant investment of time or money, but they can have long-term benefits. Cleaning your gutters, pressure washing your siding and scheduling a tune-up service for your air conditioner can ensure your home looks great and functions well all year long.

Raising Your Palm Tree

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Palm trees give a sense of fun and relaxation. Typically found in warm climates, their image makes you think of tropical climates and beaches. There is quite a bit of care put into raising a palm tree. From Palmetto to the sylvester palm jacksonville fl, here are a few tips on how to grow these sort of trees.

Picking the Right Tree

You will want to do research on what specimen will work best for your climate. Some sturdier types can withstand some chilly temperatures however some have trouble. If there is a sudden cold snap, you can wrap the trunk in blankets to keep it warm. Other kinds of palm trees thrive in sandier conditions. Sunlight is also a vital factor. Some palms need quite a bit of sunlight while others prefer shade. You will want to purchase the correct palm to ensure that it will last a long time. 

Digging Deep

When you make your purchase and bring your tree home, you will want to dig a hole for it deep enough to house the root ball. Saturate the dirt with water before you set the root ball inside and only cover the roots. The higher you bury the tree, the more chances you have of attracting fungus and rot that can harm your tree. Also keep your palm watered the first few months, starting a couple of times a week and stretching out to every few weeks. You can brace the trunk of the tree with planks of plywood to protect it from strong winds that could topple it. 

Feeding Your Tree

You will want to keep the soil around your tree at the right balance of nutrients so that it will thrive and grow. Having too few or too much can kill it. Keeping mulch around it for at least a year will help it in check. There are also many kinds of plant food on the market that can benefit your plant. Constant tending through the first year will give it the boost it needs to root.

Pruning the Fronds

After time, some of the branches will need to be cut back so the palm can grow its best. Prune the ones near the bottom or middle and avoid the ones at the time. Removing the top branches can hurt the plant. You can also let dried out fronds fall off on their own. Snip the leaf as close as you can to the tree.