Lawns Do a World of Good

Imagine life without grass. No green lawns with kids playing outdoors, no soft cushion for your bare feet on a hot summer day, and less greenery to clean the air we breathe. Perhaps we take for granted all the great eco-benefits a well-fed, lush lawn provides for us. Yet lawns still get a bad rap because of the assumed negative effects on the environment. Let's face it; a well-cared-for lawn is better for you, your family, and the environment.   

For starters, growing green plants is the best thing you can do to clean the air. And grass is better than other plants -- even trees -- at removing carbon and other impurities from the atmosphere. Through the process of photosynthesis, grass takes carbon from the air and stores it in the ground. Ongoing studies at The Ohio State University indicate that as a result of this natural process, your well-cared for lawn removes and stores twice the amount of carbon from the air in a year than a tree can in ten years. The stored carbon then helps build rich organic matter in the soil that helps purify water and gives grass a fertile base to thrive.

Thriving lawns keep enriching the soil by providing a home for beneficial micro-organisms and insects. These good critters eat nature's leftovers -- like decomposing grass clippings, plant leaves and other vegetation -- and recycle nutrients back into the soil. They also pollinate plants and serve as food for other animals, making grass an important part of nature's cycle.

And did you know that summertime air temperatures above lawns can be up to 30 degrees cooler than above paved areas? Grass is like a natural air conditioner that cools the air as it releases water vapor through its blades. The water evaporates and draws heat, cooling the air in the process. As a result, lawns are a safer surface for children to play on and provide the cool comfort we desire on hot days.

The reasons to love your lawn are many. And with good care, like following the tips below, lawns contribute to your family's well-being and our environment.

1. Feed regularly with products made for lawns. 
Feeding 3 to 4 times a year makes your lawn strong and full of life. A strong lawn is better able to tolerate stresses like heat, drought and insects. It crowds out weeds, can fend off most diseases and is better able to contribute to the environment. Be sure to use a fertilizer made exclusively for lawns to prevent adding more phosphorus than your lawn needs. 

2. Follow label directions.
Lawn fertilizers are designed for best results when applied according to package directions. Applying too much product won't improve results, but it will put down more nutrients than your lawn needs. So why over-feed and waste fertilizer? Be sure to sweep any fertilizer that lands on driveways and sidewalks back on to the lawn. This keeps nutrients where the grass will use it -- and out of our waterways.

3. Conserve water.
Water is an important component for a healthy lawn, but only water your lawn when it needs it. If your lawn dulls in color or begins to wilt, then your lawn needs water. An automatic underground sprinkler system that only operates when rainfall has not be adequate, is your best choice for green, healthy lawn, environmentally conscientious lawn care.

4. Mow smart.
Lawns that are mowed high have deeper root systems that can reach water and nutrients in the soil better. Use a mulching mower and leave grass clippings on your lawn. Clippings will break down and recycle nutrients back into the soil.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Turn Your Backyard into a Sanctuary

Your backyard is your sanctuary. But you want to make it even better -- perhaps with a patio where your family can congregate, enjoy outdoor barbecues and entertain guests.

Here are some design tips to help turn your backyard into the oasis of your dreams:

Install a patio.
You yearn for a lovely patio area for picnic lunches or to relax and read a book as you enjoy the sun. With the abundance of materials available, it can be difficult to make a selection: with natural stone, stamped concrete and pre-cast pavers being just a few of the options. Pavers offer a multitude of creative colors and designs, are easy on the budget and can be used in most climates.

Gather around the fire.
Bring your family together with a fire pit. Whether you're building a fire for cooking dinner, roasting marshmallows or to keep warm on a chilly evening, it will become a gathering place for your family and friends. Depending on your creativity and building skills, you can make your fire pit an elaborate congregational area with permanent benches and a decorative wood rack, or a simpler ring for cozy family cookouts.

Set up seats for relaxation.
Don't forget the tables, chairs and decorative planters to encourage people to relax in your backyard and enjoy your sanctuary. You will need to decide if you want permanent, built-in tables and chairs or benches on your patio or along strolling paths through your backyard landscape, or if you want furniture you can rearrange and store during inclement weather.

Keep the hunger pains at bay.
Perhaps you are looking for more than just relaxation; you want to express your culinary side as well. Outdoor barbecues are becoming increasingly popular, complete with drink coolers and sinks. For an outdoor counter top, look for a material that can withstand weather, yet still have a warm, natural look that will work with the other materials you're using on your porch. Concrete counter tops can be mixed with stains, pigments, aggregates and epoxy coatings to give them the look, texture and feel of more expensive quarried stones like marble, granite and limestone.

Soothe the senses.
Water features are popping up in backyards across the country. Families enjoy them by relaxing near the sound of trickling water and watching birds and other wildlife looking for a drink. Some homeowners install small fountains surrounded by landscaping to provide the water ambiance, while others take the route of building a full water garden.

Self-contained water features are easy to install in less than a day, while kit ponds might take a weekend to set up. But the larger water features give you more opportunities to be creative - for example installing a bridge, water wheel, water falls or tiny streams.

Once you have your backyard sanctuary complete, you'll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy your investment while relaxing.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

AZEK® vinyl decking is a superior decking option, engineered with Procell™ Technology which offers certain advantages over wood and composite decking. This highly stain resistant decking is one of the fastest growing brands of decking on the market.  AZEK® Deck is built to withstand a houseful of spills and objects, so homeowners can actually live on their deck.  Spilled wine, fruit punch, even hamburger grease are no match for AZEK® Deck's stain resistance.  Since AZEK® Deck is also scratch resistant,  you won't have to worry about scuffs during installation or the bumps and bruises your family dishes out. Your AZEK® Deck will continue to look great for years to come.

Souce: azek.com