Autumn Colors Without the Leaf Clean Up

If I had to rank household tasks from easy to downright dreadful, raking leaves would be near the top of my pain in the "you know what" project list. But as much as I cower at the thought of autumn clean up, I must say that the beautiful display of colors from the trees makes this seasonal task just a little bit more pleasant. If only those changing leaves would stay on the trees just a little while longer!

This got me thinking, what if we could enjoy the beautiful colors of fall for more time during the year with less raking and maintenance? With that being said, I have put together a list of my favorite plants and shrubs that offer the look and feel of autumn from spring to the first snow.

Japanese Maple

This is one of my favorites for its vibrant red leaves that stay bright for three seasons of the year. The Japanese maple is a smaller tree, growing between two and 30 feet tall depending on the variety, but it requires a low level of maintenance (preferring full sun to partial shade) and adds a lot of color to any property.  

Redbud

This tree blooms early in the spring with bright pink and purple flowers and then transforms through the summer with the appearance of green, tulip-shaped leaves. In the autumn, the leaves turn a nice golden color, making it a real horticultural chameleon with a lot of personality. The tree, which can grow to around 30 feet, even produces bold buds on its trunk and structural branches.

Witch Hazel

My daughter tells me that this shrub is dual functioning as the bark from its stems and roots are extracted and distilled into many popular natural facial toners. But besides its skincare benefits, witch hazel also offers dazzling yellow leaves and flowers that produce a pleasingly spicy scent from October through December. 

Burning Bush

With a name like that, you won’t be surprised to find this flowering plant sprouting with fire red leaves that will add a real pop of color to your shrubbery from spring to fall. A word to the wise on this one though – its aggressive growth tendencies actually put it on the list of prohibited plants in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, so you’ll want to keep it well contained. 

Kale

This one is my wife’s favorites. You might see kale on menus in restaurants all over town, but the vegetable also looks great in the garden and can be used to add loads of color to pots, on porches, and anywhere else around the yard. Kale is one of many cousins in the cabbage family and its green, white and purple leaves have serious staying power – even peeking through after the first winter frost.

This variety of plants, trees, and shrubs is really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of keeping fall colors in your yard all year long. What are your favorite autumn-hued plant picks? I'd love to hear from you. Drop me an email or send me a message 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 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.

Score a Deal on a Patio Furniture Upgrade

Even though summer is nearly over, now is a great time to score a major deal on seasonal essentials such as grills, pool accessories - and my favorite - patio furniture. While usually a major purchase, upgrading your outdoor dining game at the end of the season is actually a great way to save big bucks, with many manufacturers slashing prices to make room for other inventory. So if you’re tired wicker or wood outdoor set is in dire need of an upgrade, here are some of the options available that will last a lot longer with much less maintenance than traditional materials.

Aluminium

Metal gives a beautiful, polished look and it doesn’t rust or fade. Because aluminum is such a lightweight metal, it’s easy to rearrange furniture and move it around to different outdoor areas. Many aluminum frame furniture sets are powder coated which gives a homeowner lots of options when it comes to finish and color. Also, it’s affordable and durable so you won’t spend too much and your set should last a long time. On the negative side, aluminum gets very hot in the sun and many times the hardware is made from a different kind of metal which can rust. Make note -  without a good solid cushion, aluminum is not going to be the most comfortable to sit on for long periods of time.

My Pick: The Navan Outdoor 4 piece Aluminum Conversation Set on Overstock.com
Regular Price: $737.99
Sale Price: $573.73

Plastic/Polymer

Plastic patio furniture is the most inexpensive and lightest option going with tons of different styles and colors to choose from. Many people like plastic or polymer furniture because it’s stackable, making it easy to store when not in use. Technology and 3D printing have made plastic options much more durable and less flimsy than the stackable green or white chairs you’re probably picturing, but unless you invest in good quality, high-density polyethylene, it’s likely that plastic isn’t going to last for years to come. Additionally, porous materials will attract mildew, so make sure you wash any plastic down with mold resistant cleaner before storing it away for the winter.

My Pick: POLYWOOD® Long Island Recycled Plastic Adirondack Chairs from Hayneedle
Regular Price: $386.00
Sale Price: $269.00

Resin

If you like the look of wicker, resin is a fantastic option for outdoor furniture. Similar to polymer and plastic, resin is made from synthetic materials such as PVC which are manufactured to stand up to the elements much better than traditional wicker. Resin is also your best bet if you choose to leave your furniture outdoors most of the year as it’s less likely to crack or split and will never rust. I also like resin because even though it can take a beating, it remains comfortable to sit on and is softer than traditional wicker.

My Pick: Belleze Rattan Resin Wicker Folding Table & Chair Bistro Set
Regular Price: $142.94
Sale Price: $99.99

Teak

Plenty of us love the look of wood, especially on a stone patio or around a beautiful fire pit. So if this is your style, my pick is teak for its density and natural resistance to being damaged by the elements. Because teak has such a generous amount of natural oil, it repels water much better than other woods, making it a smarter choice for furniture that’s used outside. With any wood, teak will fade from its natural honey brown color to a wintery gray. The wood can be kept up with a teak sealant, which should be applied when it comes out for the summer and before it goes away for the winter. Also, it’s worth noting that real wood can be expensive, so keep that in mind if you’re going the teak route.

My Pick: Frontgate Teak Dining Sets
Regular Price: Varies
Sale Price: Now 25% off all sets

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.

Investing in a Fixer Upper? Bobby O's Five Must-Read Tips

For a lot of young people, a first step onto the property ladder might mean purchasing an older home that needs a bit of work. Fixer-uppers can be a great way to enter the real estate market, especially if you’re handy around the house and know a thing or two about remodeling. But if you’re new to the game, getting swayed into paying too much for a rundown home that needs more work than it’s worth can be a real risk. Here are some things to think about before sinking your life savings into a piece of property:

Mr. Inspector

No matter what, always make sure you have an inspector look at the property and report on his or her findings. Lots of homes look perfectly fine on the outside but have expensive or even toxic damage hidden within the property. An inspector will document any issues he or she finds, and at the very least you should be able to use that information to negotiate the price with the seller. If major parts of the house such as the foundation or structural walls need replacing, or if the house has lead paint, lead pipes, or asbestos, you might want to rethink your potential purchase entirely.

Your Budget +15%

Be really clear about how much you are willing to spend to renovate your purchase into the house of your dreams, and be sure to include the cost of materials, the labor and any permits and paperwork in your estimate. Know that very few projects run to budget, so tack on an extra 15% to give yourself some breathing room. Think about what projects have to be dealt with immediately and which ones can wait. Broken stairs might need immediate attention, but the pink sink and bathtub might just grow on you – at least for the first year. 

A Piece of History

Make sure you are aware of the historic status of an old home. Many people purchase houses in an area or zone that doesn’t allow the aesthetic to be changed, which could put a real damper on your dream plans. Also, know that historic restoration is much more expensive than a normal remodel, and it often requires specialists to get the job done right. Be aware of this before you buy.

Keep it Vanilla

A lot of young people buy fixer uppers with plans to remodel in a way that suits them personally. This is fine, but consider what types of projects will enhance the resale value of your home and attract a wide variety of buyers. Additionally, make sure that your remodeling plans keep your house in line with the other homes in the area. Real estate experts suggest keeping your home within 10-15% of the median sale price of other homes in the neighborhood. The last thing you want to do is spend a fortune to revamp a house and then not be able to sell it when the time is right.  

Your Crew

Once you decide on your fixer-upper, make sure you hire experts to handle each individual job. Many people are tempted to get one handyman to install the flooring, replace the electrical, and fix the plumbing as a way to save money. This usually comes back to bite the homeowner as no general contractor can be an expert at everything. Find a pro that you love and ask him or her for recommendations. Every contractor has other tradespeople that they feel comfortable introducing to their clients because they do great work. Remember, it’s their reputation on the line too.

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.