60 The Queens Courier • at home • APRIL 23, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com at home Bringing life back into your garden Spring season is a time of regeneration and renewal as you prepare to bring life back to your lawn and garden. Taking the proper steps after seasonal changes or severe weather conditions can prove to be the difference between creating a breathtaking landscape or an outdoor space with unsightly mishaps. By following a few simple steps, you can take pride in your backyard year after year. Inspect and replace your tools of the trade The first step to creating an outdoor masterpiece begins with the proper equipment. You can’t very well dig, rake or mow with broken or dull materials, so now is the time to inspect each of your tools. Check your lawnmower and other garden essentials for signs of damage or rust. Making sure that your garden tools are in good condition at the start of the season will help establish the right foundation for a successful planting and growing season. “The right tools can make all the difference in creating a lawn that leaves a lasting impression,” says Alan Luxmore, host of A&E’s hit television show Fix This Yard. “Arm yourself with tools that are not only durable, but easy to use. Complete watering systems such as LeakFree by Nelson, offer a turn-key watering experience from start to finish, allowing gardeners more time to revel in their landscaping successes.” Bring new life into the garden Once your soil is permeable, it should be prepped for the upcoming planting season by removing dead leaves and plants that may have been left over from the previous season. Use a rotary tiller to break up and aerate hard soil. Once the old material has been removed from the work area and your soil is ready, begin planting your new plants, flowers, vegetables and grass. You can also help your trees, bushes and even certain plants have a more robust look by trimming them back to encourage new bud growth. Establish a regular watering regimen One of the most important steps to maintaining a healthy lawn and garden is providing it with the proper nutrients. Using a hose for daily irrigation seems simple but without the proper watering set up, your efforts could be futile. A proper watering guide and the following tips from the watering experts at Nelson can increase efficiency and bring you one step closer to creating a yard with envious curb appeal. • Give your greens a thorough soaking once in a while to produce extended and robust roots. • The best time to water is in the morning, when the air is cool and moist. The warmth of the sun and the rising temperature gently dries the grass and the leaves on the plants. And since morning air is damp, you don’t waste water through evaporation. • Follow a regular watering schedule to discourage bugs by providing them with an inhospitable environment. Insects, with the possible exception of the water bug, aren’t terribly fond of water. • To be certain your lawn is hydrated adequately when it has failed to rain, the standard rule of thumb is to sprinkle one inch of water per week. • Use a complete guaranteed leak-free system such as LeakFree by Nelson in order to conserve water in drought conditions, save money and stay dry. Courtesy BPT Home Improvement & Painting Contractor Annual AC Inspection & Tune-up Normally $249.00 Pre-Season Special of $99.00 Expires May 31, 2015 Mention coupon code QC Intercity Plumbing and Heating Corp 249-02 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 201 Floral Park, NY 11001 718-464-5313 www.intercityplumbing.com F R E E E L E C T RO N I C S R E C Y L I N G EVENTS A R E COMING TO QUEENS T H I S S P R I NG Avoid a fine: it’s now illegal to discard electronics in the regular trash! All Events from10AM–4PM Rain or Shine Sunday, April 26 • DOUGLASTON Douglaston Train Station (westbound) Pedestrian Mall, 235th Street and 41st Ave Sunday, May 3 • FOREST HILLS Forest Hills Jewish Center, 69th Road b/w Queens Boulevard and Austin Street Saturday, May 16 • ASTORIA Broadway Library, 4020 Broadway b/w Steinway and 41st Streets Saturday, June 13 • EAST ELMHURST Jackson Heights Shopping Center Parking Lot, 77th Street b/w 30th and 31st Aves WE ACCEPT: Working and non-working computers, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, TVs, VCRs, CD/DVD players, phones, audio/visual equipment, video games, cell phones and PDAs For more information contact the Lower East Side Ecology Center at lesecologycenter.org or 212.477.4022 We would like to thank our sponsor: Interior & Exterior Painting, Wallpaper Removal, Wall repair, Skim Coat & Drywall Installation, Kitchen Cabinets Installation & Re nishing, Hardwood Floor installation & re nishing, Basement, Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling. Licensed and Insured. NYC LIC#2002874-DCA 5 STAR Reviews on Houzz! 1.800.351.4820 PAINTPOWER.NET Free Estimates
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