FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e AUGUST 13, 2020 •AT HOME • THE QUEENS COURIER 25
Big jobs to tackle this summer
Summer is here, and that means it’s time
to tackle the big outdoor tasks.
Th e importance of getting work done is
especially true in this season of social isolation,
when Americans are enjoying their
homes’ outdoor spaces more than ever.
Outdoor work may require some extra
sweat and elbow grease, but these big jobs
are a welcome break right now, keeping
people busy and outside - and helping
them truly appreciate their well -tended
green spaces.
For many, outdoor work is a satisfying
endeavor, allowing homeowners to take
pride in their home and yard, along with
the work they put into it, which shows
in what people are searching for, posting
and sharing online. For example, Pinterest
Insights saw an increase of 89% in backyard
renovation ideas on their website,
along with a whopping jump of 658% in
DIY small patio ideas on a budget, and an
impressive 528% increase in budget garden
inspiration ideas.
Ready to get started on your summer
to -do list? Consider adding these big but
worthwhile tasks to your roster.
Start a “victory garden”
Given all the questions brought about
by COVID-19, many Americans are
re igniting the WWII practice of growing
their own fruits, vegetables and herbs to
give themselves more control over their
food supplies. Many produce varieties
are easy to grow, and cultivating them
at home can ward off unnecessary shopping
excursions. “Americans are turning
to gardens for food access, food security,
food safety and food aff ordability,”
confi rms gardening exec Jim Feinson on
GardenResearch.com.
Beef up your landscaping
Look over your landscaping layout
and determine which parts need trimming,
fi lling in, fertilizing or replacing.
If you’re in doubt, many garden
centers can draw up plans demonstrating
changes or additions that might
look more eye -catching. Before getting
started, invest in easy -to- use equipment
that will make the heavy -duty labor less
grueling. Northern Tool + Equipment’s
Strongway Steel Jumbo Garden Wagon
can handle tough jobs like hauling rocks,
pavers or bags of cement; in fact, it can
capably pull up to 1,400 pounds of supplies.
Revamp your deck
Does it just need a good power washing,
or is it screaming for a repainting
or re -staining too? Either way, your
work will go faster with Northern Tool’s
Powerhorse Gas Cold Water Pressure
Washer, which has the 2.5 GPM and
3100 PSI you need to eff ortlessly blast
through mud, dirt and debris on your
deck, siding, fence, patio or driveway.
Get your garage in gear
Reclaim your space by getting rid of
junk you don’t need, power washing
your fl oors and establishing dedicated
space for the tools and equipment you
regularly use. New cabinets, bins, racks,
shelves or pegboard panels can go a long
way toward keeping everything handy
and easy to fi nd. You may even want to
create a mancave vibe by installing a TV,
mini fridge and casual seating.
Tackle your gutters
It can be a heft y job, but built- up
debris must be cleaned out at least twice
annually to avoid wet basements, interior
leaks, mold growth, rodent infestations
and/or displacement of the gutters
themselves. Use a sturdy ladder to safely
access the edges of your roof, then use a
trowel or gutter scoop to remove refuse.
Flush out the system using a power
washer or a garden hose with a spray
attachment. Check for cracks, rust or
paint damage and missing attachments,
ensure all sections are sloped enough to
drain stormwater and replace any sections
that can’t be repaired.
Summer is here, and that to- do list
won’t take care of itself. Plan now to take
on the tasks that will help you and your
family make the best possible use of your
outdoor spaces in the warm weather.
— BPT
/WWWo.QNS.COm
/GardenResearch.com
