58 The Queens Courier • at home • JUNE 16, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com AT HOME Last minute DIY tips for backyard hosting Summer means outdoor entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a wedding reception, a family reunion or a birthday party, you’ll want to make the backyard get together memorable. Here are some quick DIY ideas to help you get ready for a fun, stress-free gathering. Lawn prepA healthy green lawn is an inviting setting for outdoor activities. If your lawn isn’t quite up to snuff, a little last minute maintenance can help. Following are some tips from Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers and academics: • Fix bare or thin spots. You may not need as much time as you think to overseed thin or bare patches - some seed germinates in just a few days. Ask the turf specialists at your garden store or university extension office for help in selecting the right seed. Seed during the early morning or evening hours, then water lightly but regularly, keeping the reseeded areas damp until the new grass grows in. • Don’t overwater. On average, a lawn needs about an inch of water per week, from rainfall or irrigation. Unless it’s very hot or you have good soil drainage, don’t water for two or three days before your party. A soggy lawn might ruin your guests’ shoes, and furniture legs could sink into the ground. • Leave a little length. Don’t mow the grass too short before the event - a little extra length will provide more cushioning for the soil and your guests’ feet. As a general rule, wait until your grass is 3 inches tall before mowing, then cut it to 2 inches in height. • Creating the ambiance. Beyond the table arrangements - linens, tableware, flowers - you’ll want to think about creating a comfortable ambiance for your guests. Here are a few ideas to consider: • Throw some shade. Set up umbrellas or a shade sail if your gathering is in the heat of the day and you don’t have much natural shade. • Illuminate the area. If your get together is in the evening, create a welcoming atmosphere by setting out candles or lanterns and winding twinkle lights around trees in your backyard. If you have the space, build a simple fire pit where you can gather after dinner to make s’mores and tell stories. Transform planters and pots into nightlights using glow-in-the-dark paint. • Make it cozy. In addition to traditional seating, set out blankets, pillows and rugs on the lawn. Set up a low table and place rugs on the grass next to it to create a magical Moroccan evening. • Keep bugs at bay. Annoying flies or hungry mosquitoes can take a lot of the fun out of an outdoor party. Light citronella candles to deter mosquitoes, or make natural DIY bug spray for your guests using essential oils such as peppermint or eucalyptus. • Choosing activities. Your get-together likely already has some built-in activities (eating, for one!), but depending on the type of event, you may want to have a few additional distractions planned - especially if there are kids at the party. Try a few of these: • Revive old favorites. Classic lawn games like croquet or lawn bowling are easy to set up and are great icebreakers if not everyone knows each other. You can mix things up and create your own variations on the rules. • Spray-paint your grass. Use groundmarking spray to create giant game boards directly on your lawn. Twister, checkers, tic-tac-toe - use your imagination! One of the great advantages of entertaining outdoors is that it’s usually easier and less stressful than trying to fit a large group into your home. So keep things simple and don’t worry if you don’t have time for elaborate preparations - your backyard will naturally do most of the decorating and ambiance creation for you, and you’ll have plenty of options for outdoor activities for kids of all ages. Courtesy BPT QUALITY CONSTRUCTION BY... A Real Advantage Inc. CONCRETE ROOFING GUTTERS SIDING MASONRY WORK • Fully Licensed and insured • A+ Rating with BBB since 1992 • All work Guaranteed • All Violations removed • No job is too big or too small “Professionals who care enough to do the job right.... at’s e Real Advantage” Serving all 5 Boroughs, Westchester and Nassau County BRICK WORK Phone: 718-767-6950 ARealAdvantageConstruction.com Toll Free: 800-972-1984 Email: ARealAdvantage@Gmail.com Fax: 718-767-5232 Come experience a Real Advantage in Home Construction FREE ESTIMATES Call us today for your FREE estimate PAVERS EXTENSIONS COBBLESTONE INTERIOR WORK
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