06 April

Spring Ahead with these 5 April Home and Garden Boosters!

It finally feels like spring, and your retriever is begging you to toss the Frisbee around the backyard. While you’re out there, there are lots of things you can do to get your home and garden ship-shape, so you’ll be ready to kick back and enjoy some cookouts this summer.

Here are 5 April tips to help you look forward to fresh veggies and beautiful blooms this summer, instead of fallen rain gutters and weeds!

1: Beautify your Outdoor Living Area

The colder months can take a toll on your outdoor living area. While you’re outside cleaning up winter’s detritus, why not update your outdoor space and make it a beautiful, inviting place to be?

You don’t need a complete backyard makeover; even a few simple changes can do the trick.

This article has tips on 5 ways to do just that, including installing an inviting garden path; adding an eye-catching and fascinating themed flower garden such as an edible flower garden or a moon garden; installing a beautiful water feature; and incorporating features that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.

This article has 5 creative ways to hide those ugly outdoor trash cans so you and your guests won’t have to see them. Installing a fire pit or outdoor fireplace this spring is also an excellent way to add a spark to your summer.

2: Take care of your Roof

Your roof keeps your home dry and prevents thousands of dollars’ worth of potential water damage from leaks, so you want to keep it in top working condition. The North American Roofing Association recommends inspecting your roof at least twice a year, in the spring and fall, so the time is here!

This article gives you the 6 keys to roof inspection.

While you’re inspecting your roof, you may notice ugly growths such as green algae, black algae, moss, lichen, or mold and mildew. All of these growths can spoil your roof’s appearance, and moss and lichen may even damage your roof.

Now is the perfect time to treat your roof with Wet & Forget Outdoor, because Wet & Forget Outdoor works with the spring rains and breezes to eliminate disgusting stains and keep them away for a year or more in most cases.

Make it part of your spring routine! Click here to see how to make the April showers clean your roof.

Now is also the perfect time to put April’s rain to work cleaning your deck, concrete, bricks, awnings, and other outdoor surfaces.

3: Clean your Rain Gutters

Your home’s rain gutters work along with your roof to keep your home dry. If you have a leaky basement, a problem with your rain gutters could be the culprit.

More importantly, faulty rain gutters can allow water to pool around your home’s foundation and lead to cracks, which is a major home repair. Rain gutters often become clogged with debris during the colder months, which is why the Foundation Repair Association recommends cleaning your gutters at least once each spring and fall.

Now’s the time! Click here for instructions.

4: Check your Driveway

Winter’s extreme temperature fluctuations are also hard on your driveway, and it’s important to nip any problems in the bud before the spring rain has the chance to make matters worse.

This article has key maintenance tips for asphalt or concrete driveways; this article has tips for taking care of your gravel or paver driveway, and this article breaks down the big 4 problems that pose a threat to your driveway, and how to avoid them.

5: Start your Vegetable Garden off Right

Everything is coming to life outdoors, including your garden. Now is the time to start planning and planting your vegetable garden so you will enjoy a bountiful and delicious harvest this summer and fall.

Click here for valuable information on how to evaluate and improve your garden’s soil quality, and click here to find out the best time to plant 7 of the most popular garden vegetables.

Enjoy your garden!

Photos courtesy of Nana B Agyei, Scott Robinson, Thomas & Dianne Jones, Ray_from_LA, and Joshua Byrd.