Mulch Basics for a Beautiful Yard

It seems like everyone is out mulching lately and for good reason. While spreading mulch is a big job, it has many benefits that make overall yard maintenance much easier throughout the season. From reducing weeds to enriching soil to beautifying the landscape, getting your hands dirty from this springtime activity will pay for itself sooner than you’d expect. 

Let’s start by giving you a few basics. The pros use mulch to cover bare soil in flower beds, around trees, and anywhere without grass that’s susceptible to weeds. Mulch acts as a protectant; it keeps the soil warm and moist while keeping weeds at bay. Most mulch options are made from organic materials such as wood and bark, so natural nutrients are absorbed into the ground. Plus, mulch really makes a yard look tidy and well-looked after. Let’s talk about the options because all are not created equal. 

Wood 

The most popular mulch is chipped wood or shredded bark which you can get from a landscaper, lumberyard, or even for free if your town has a public compost. Wood mulch is highly customizable both in color and in size. Bigger chips give the ground more breathing room but they move around a bit more, while shredded materials stay put slightly better. In terms of color, you can always go natural or choose red, brown, or black mulch to match your home aesthetic. Mulch is colored using vegetable dye which might temporarily stain any paths, walkways, or your hands. It’s nothing a good 20-second scrub or a rainstorm won’t take care of.

Stone

If the area that you’re mulching is on a slope, I recommend going with pea gravel instead of wood mulch. Pea gravel is heavier and will stay put in high drainage areas much better than wood. There is such a thing as too much moisture and if an area tends to be wet, wood mulch can get moldy. Stone will allow the water to pass through easier without retaining excess moisture.

Straw

If you want to protect a newly seeded area of your lawn, straw is a great option. Not to be confused with hay which can germinate and produce weeds, straw will help grass seed from washing away and it deters birds and mice from a feast. It also naturally decomposes so there is no clean-up, but remember, this option is only for temporary use.

Regardless of what you use, I always recommend weeding your beds and staking gardener’s fabric around existing trees and shrubs before you mulch. This is the best defense for weeds and it lasts for years so you don’t have to worry about doing it every spring. Whatever you do, don’t use plastic unless you don’t want anything at all to grow. Unlike fabric, plastic will cut off any oxygen to the area, effectively making it a dead zone for all plants, shrubs and trees. Also, don’t be shy while you’re spreading. Weeds are strong and won’t be deterred by a thin layer. Go for a base of four or so inches to keep plant pests from popping up. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Creating A Private Backyard Oasis

With everything that has been happening in the world, chances are you’ll be thinking about ways to upgrade your outdoor space this month. After all, having a private backyard oasis to enjoy during the summertime is one of my favorite things about being a homeowner. 

In my experience, creating a place that’s inviting and relaxing can make balmy weekday evenings feel like a mini-vacation, especially when a barbecue or bonfire is involved. But having an at-home retreat also means taking steps to ensure that your backyard is private and secure, especially when there is a pool or water feature in the mix. So today, I’d like to give you a peek into a range of fencing options to protect your yard and provide seclusion without forgoing great design.

Many homeowners love the aesthetic of a beautiful, timeless wood fence. They look elegant, provide fantastic privacy, and are easy to install. The downside, of course, is maintenance. With our hot summers and brutal winters, a wood fence will need regular staining or painting, a job that every homeowner dreads. On the positive side, if you like to update the look of your backyard frequently, wood can be painted in any color imaginable and it’s one of the most affordable options on the market. A six-foot panel will run around $25-$50 depending on the type of wood.

If you love the look of wood, but the upkeep has you thinking twice about the material, you might want to think about composite fencing. Composite is made from engineered wood, and while it mimics the look of the natural stuff, its lifespan is much longer with very little maintenance requirements and no worry that it will rot, splinter or warp.  The cost will vary based on the design and type, but you can expect to pay $100-$150 per six-foot section.

If you want something that’s sturdy and maintenance-free, a chain-link fence might be a good option for you. While they generally aren’t the most stylish in terms of design, a chain link fence will keep your backyard protected and they can be slightly customized in different colors and gauges. If you need more privacy, you can upgrade a chain link fence with metal slats. Best of all, it’s the cheapest of options, coming in at $100 or less for a 50-foot roll. If you like the idea of a metal fence, but prefer something a little more upscale, go for an aluminum option, which is powder-coated and needs very little maintenance. A six-foot panel will run you $50-$75 depending on the height.

Finally, if you want something that will protect your pool without making it feel enclosed, there’s nothing like glass. A glass or plexiglass panel fence is beautiful for enclosing water without shutting out the rest of your property. Glass fences are durable, but they do tend to scratch easily and need to be cleaned regularly. They are also generally the most expensive fencing option, especially if they need to enclose a large area or in-ground pool. You’ll be looking in the ballpark of a few hundred dollars per panel. 

With so many options, which do you like best? Send me an email or message me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/odonnellbros 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

The Perfect Lawn in Six Steps

With everyone spending a lot more time at home lately, you might find yourself with a unique opportunity to get a kickstart on your lawn maintenance. The competition for the nicest yard will probably be fierce in your neighborhood, so why not get a jumpstart? Next week’s forecast looks like a good time, so here are my six foolproof steps to gorgeous grass come summer. 

Get started by performing a soil test. Grass can be finicky and the pH level of your soil will help you to better understand how to treat it all season long. Experts suggest that the pH level should be between 6.0 and 7.0 and your reading will help you to figure out what nutrients your lawn needs. A soil test is always a smart first step so you don’t go out and buy fertilizer and seed that isn’t the right match. A soil test can be done by a professional landscaper or you can purchase a test kit at any hardware store.

Next, it’s time for clean-up. Start by removing any winter debris such as sticks, leaves, stones. Then give your yard a good rake, even if it’s free of debris. This is called dethatching because it picks out the thatch, or dead matter, that collects on the bottom of the grass blades, closest to the ground. During the winter, thatch is good because it acts as a layer of warmth and protectant. But as the temperature rises, it can block new grass from coming up. 

Once the lawn has been dethatched, it’s time for aeration. An aerator is a bit like a push lawn mower but instead of cutting the grass, it pokes holes in the ground. Aeration is important because all grass needs sun, air, and water to grow. By aerating the lawn, it allows for better air and water flow and lets nutrients get to the roots of the grass more easily. Most people skip this step but I think it’s essential. 

Now I like to treat my lawn with a pre-emergent to help contain weeds. As I mentioned before, grass can be very temperamental, but weeds are strong and will grow in pretty much any condition. If left untreated, they will pop up all over your lawn and compete with grass for sunlight and water. Plus, they multiply and spread very easily. Depending on your soil test and the kind of law you have, a pre-emergent will help to keep those weeds at bay which will help your lawn to flourish.

Once your weeds have been treated, it’s time to reseed any bare spots. Thinning is normal with mature lawns, so you may want to reseed the entire lawn or larger portions of it. The type of seed you use will depend on your lawn and your soil, so make sure you consult with the expert at your local hardware store before you buy your grass seed. A spreader makes this job quick and easy but the key is to keep the ground moist to allow the seeds to germinate. 

Finally, it’s time for fertilizer. You’ve worked this hard so make sure to give your grass the best possible chance to survive and thrive. Again, fertilizer is not a one size fits all product and what’s right for your lawn depends on a number of factors. The key is to make sure the fertilizer you select has the nutrients your lawn needs to grow lush and beautiful. 

With all these tips comes one warning. While you might be tempted to get the mower out, it’s better to start slowly and let the grass grow a bit longer in the early season. If you follow the steps above and give the lawn a good clean-up before mowing, you’ll have longer, thicker, healthier grass all season long. Happy grass growing!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.