Now Is The Time for Mulch

Garden procrastinators certainly got it right this time. While it’s tempting to build a solid landscaping foundation early in the spring, this year’s windy weather coupled with a serious pollen overload means that now is actually a great time to get started.

Mulch might not always seem necessary and spreading it too early can actually be a hassle, especially if it then gets covered over with tree debris. But this extra step actually has many benefits that make overall yard maintenance much easier throughout the season. 

Let’s start by giving you a few basics. The pros use mulch to cover bare soil in flower beds, around trees, and any grassless area 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. So 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 them from popping through. 

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.

Prep Your Home for Sale with These Five Updates

In this white-hot real estate market, selling the family home could be a serious consideration coming into summer. While a big renovation project might not be in the cards considering the cost of supplies such as lumber, there are plenty of smaller “spruce up” options to breathe new life into your home and make it attractive to potential buyers. Here are a few ideas. 

The Kitchen

A kitchen is almost always the hub of a house, even for non-cooks. People love to get together to make meals, chat about each other’s day, and enjoy casual snacks in a comfortable common space. For any potential buyer, a kitchen design that’s clean, functional, and snazzy will help to increase the sale price. Just remember to keep your updates neutral enough to appeal to lots of potential buyers. Freshly painted cabinets and new hardware can completely transform the room.

Curb Appeal

First impressions are crucial when listing a house on the market. It goes without saying that a roof streaked with mold and overgrown landscaping will turn people away. Consider power washing the house and tap into your inner green thumb to maintain plants and shrubs. You’d be shocked at how much of a difference a few small changes will make. 

The Master Suite

With the stress we are dealing with day in and day out, a quiet oasis away from it all is very appealing. A master bedroom complete with an ensuite is always a wise investment, especially if it’s relaxing. Soaking tubs, double sinks, and large closets have mass appeal, and paying attention to little extras can help people see themselves enjoying their potential new home. 

Backyard

As we’re getting closer to summer, people are excited to get outside and host small groups at home. From firepits to barbeque areas, privacy fencing to comfortable seating areas, making the most of a yard is a sure-fire way to encourage buyers to consider your home. An additional living space, such as a three-season porch, is also a huge bonus. 

Paint

Lots of homeowners paint their interiors to suit their lifestyles. That might mean bright blue and pink-colored bedrooms for kids and a few old trends that have seen better days. Repainting with neutral grays, bright whites, and warm taupe tones will give a home an instant facelift without too much expense or effort. 

Have you thought about giving your home a mini-makeover to get it ready for sale? What are your favorite tips? I’d love to hear from you, send me a message on Facebook at 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 www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Gutter Upgrades to Cut Down Home Maintenance

While most people think about gutter cleaning in the autumn, the falling of spring blossoms can cause serious clogging that creates overflows and inadequate rainwater drainage. 

Gutters have come a long way in the past few years. Back when many of the homes in this area were built, open gutters were used to collect rain off the roof and deposit it onto the ground through a system of downspouts. Open gutters, however, allow not only water but leaves, whirlybirds, blossoms, and sticks to also fall into the gutter, blocking them and eventually causing overflow without regular clearing.

Gutter cleaning keeps me busy, mainly because it’s a dirty job that can also be dangerous if you’re not used to working on a ladder. Luckily, over the past few years, gutter manufacturers have smartened up, creating shields to install over your current gutters, as well as closed gutter systems that can replace your current setup.

Gutter guards come in a variety of materials and sizes, but they are all designed to maximize water flowthrough while keeping tree debris out of the channel. The least expensive option is steel mesh screens which slide in and sit above the gutter lip itself. The arch design helps to ensure that debris can’t get stuck in the back of the gutter and they generally come with a five-year warranty against rusting or corrosion.

A step up from mesh screens is a heavy duty aluminum option which can be fitted from the front and back, avoiding the need to remove roof shingles for installation. These products come with a ripple design to prevent leaves from drying on the surface and they are generally backed by a 20-year warranty so you don’t have to worry about replacing often. I like these because the design strengthens the gutter which comes in very handy during major snowstorms when many homes in the area suffer from heavy and dangerous ice dams.

Finally, there is Leaf Relief, a heavy aluminum gutter shield that can drain nearly 30 inches of rainfall in one hour, which is 15 inches more than the highest rainfall ever recorded (for inquiring minds, that’s 12 inches in one hour in Holt, Missouri). For homeowners who want no maintenance, this is the gutter product for you. The 25-year no-clog, no-overflow warranty gives it the same lifespan as a new roof and the inset design makes it invisible from the road. Best of all, dry debris blows away with only a six mile per hour breeze.

No matter what type of gutter guard you choose, you want to make sure that it’s the best product for your home. While any gutter guard will reduce debris getting into your gutter, the right guard will depend on the trees in the area, how much rainfall you get, the position of your house, and the size and age of your current gutters. Once those factors are taken into consideration and the appropriate product is chosen, you can say goodbye to messy cleaning and enjoy less maintenance at your home.

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.