WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES AUGUST 13, 2020 13
Summer is here, and that
means it’s time to tackle
the big outdoor tasks.
The 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 reigniting
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
AT HOME
Big jobs to tackle this summer
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