Archive for the 'Lawn and Garden' Category
Apr
15
Thrill of the grill
April 15, 2019 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Americans have a long-standing love affair with grilling. This relationship started many years ago. Our ancestors first learned to cook over an open flame, and today grilling has become a year-round lifestyle choice with many preferring to cook outdoors on the grill.
Why do Americans love grilling so much? The reasons are wide ranging. Some grill to relax. The backyard is their escape, and the flame calms them. Others barbecue for nostalgia. The grill is a time machine to the best childhood moments. Many grill for the sheer joy of cooking. The sizzle on the grates, the smell rising to the sky, the juices dripping on the coals.
As we enter peak grilling season and celebrate National Barbecue Month in May, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association looks to grilling celebrities to discover why we love gathering around the flame and to ultimately encourage everyone to grill this summer and beyond.
1) Boog Powell, I grill for nostalgia: Orioles legend and professional barbecuer Boog Powell loves to grill because of a childhood experience. “I started grilling when I was 10 years old when my dad, brother and I made a big slab of ribs on a homemade grill on a family camping trip. It was probably the best ribs and the best barbecue that I’ve had in my life. I have been hooked on barbecue since then, and I still love it, more now than ever before,” adds Powell.
2) Tobias Dorzon, I grill for my health: Tobias Dorzon, former professional football player, professional chef and champion of Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” grills for the health benefits and delicious flavor. Dorzon notes, “Grilling is a healthier alternative because it burns the fat off meats and it uses less oil. Plus, grilling takes less time to cook and it keeps all the nutrients and flavors throughout your food.”
3) Christie Vanover, I grill for fresh air: Christie Vanover, owner and operator of Girls Can Grill, loves grilling because it allows her to spend time outside. Vanover says, “My motto is ‘Anything that can be cooked in the kitchen can be cooked on a grill.’ I grill year-round, because I love being outdoors and soaking up the fresh air.”
4) Matt Pittman, I grill to bring people together: Matt Pittman, celebrity grilling expert and owner of Meat Church BBQ, “grills to bring people together and make great memories. Our lives center around food. What better way to spend time with friends and family than outside cooking and sharing a great meal.”
5) Mad Dog & Merrill, we grill for entertainment: Internationally recognized and self-proclaimed “Grillologists” and the hosts of the TV series “Midwest Grillin’,” Mad Dog & Merrill clearly love to grill. “We started grilling for the fun of it all. Now 35 years later, we enjoy teaching backyard grillers how to think out of the box, experiment on the grill, and become ‘Grillogists’ of their own.”
6) Stan Hays, I grill to help people: Stan Hays, co-founder/CEO of Operation BBQ Relief, uses his grilling skills to help those in need when disaster strikes. “I have always enjoyed cooking from a young age, but it wasn’t until I graduated college that I really became obsessed with grilling. I now look for all opportunities to use my grill and smoker. There is something so satisfying about using fire to feed your friends and family, and I’ve even found a way to use my passion for grilling to feed people in need.”
For more reasons, tips and tricks, recipes and information on grilling, visit www.whyigrill.org.
Apr
15
Thrill of the grill
April 15, 2019 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Americans have a long-standing love affair with grilling. This relationship started many years ago. Our ancestors first learned to cook over an open flame, and today grilling has become a year-round lifestyle choice with many preferring to cook outdoors on the grill.
Why do Americans love grilling so much? The reasons are wide ranging. Some grill to relax. The backyard is their escape, and the flame calms them. Others barbecue for nostalgia. The grill is a time machine to the best childhood moments. Many grill for the sheer joy of cooking. The sizzle on the grates, the smell rising to the sky, the juices dripping on the coals.
As we enter peak grilling season and celebrate National Barbecue Month in May, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association looks to grilling celebrities to discover why we love gathering around the flame and to ultimately encourage everyone to grill this summer and beyond.
1) Boog Powell, I grill for nostalgia: Orioles legend and professional barbecuer Boog Powell loves to grill because of a childhood experience. “I started grilling when I was 10 years old when my dad, brother and I made a big slab of ribs on a homemade grill on a family camping trip. It was probably the best ribs and the best barbecue that I’ve had in my life. I have been hooked on barbecue since then, and I still love it, more now than ever before,” adds Powell.
2) Tobias Dorzon, I grill for my health: Tobias Dorzon, former professional football player, professional chef and champion of Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” grills for the health benefits and delicious flavor. Dorzon notes, “Grilling is a healthier alternative because it burns the fat off meats and it uses less oil. Plus, grilling takes less time to cook and it keeps all the nutrients and flavors throughout your food.”
3) Christie Vanover, I grill for fresh air: Christie Vanover, owner and operator of Girls Can Grill, loves grilling because it allows her to spend time outside. Vanover says, “My motto is ‘Anything that can be cooked in the kitchen can be cooked on a grill.’ I grill year-round, because I love being outdoors and soaking up the fresh air.”
4) Matt Pittman, I grill to bring people together: Matt Pittman, celebrity grilling expert and owner of Meat Church BBQ, “grills to bring people together and make great memories. Our lives center around food. What better way to spend time with friends and family than outside cooking and sharing a great meal.”
5) Mad Dog & Merrill, we grill for entertainment: Internationally recognized and self-proclaimed “Grillologists” and the hosts of the TV series “Midwest Grillin’,” Mad Dog & Merrill clearly love to grill. “We started grilling for the fun of it all. Now 35 years later, we enjoy teaching backyard grillers how to think out of the box, experiment on the grill, and become ‘Grillogists’ of their own.”
6) Stan Hays, I grill to help people: Stan Hays, co-founder/CEO of Operation BBQ Relief, uses his grilling skills to help those in need when disaster strikes. “I have always enjoyed cooking from a young age, but it wasn’t until I graduated college that I really became obsessed with grilling. I now look for all opportunities to use my grill and smoker. There is something so satisfying about using fire to feed your friends and family, and I’ve even found a way to use my passion for grilling to feed people in need.”
For more reasons, tips and tricks, recipes and information on grilling, visit www.whyigrill.org.
Apr
12
2019 Outdoor Living Trends
April 12, 2019 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – The heart of the home is shifting outside, where the hottest trends and newest products do not simply feature the look of the indoors — but the functionality as well. Advances in all-weather materials and furnishings have made it possible…
Apr
8
Transform your weedy lawn from awful to awesome
April 8, 2019 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Whether it’s splotched, patchy or completely covered, a lawn choked with ugly weeds can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to transform an awful lawn into an awesome one that’s thick, green and weed-free.
What is a weed?
Any plant that is unwanted is considered a weed. Many plants earn their weedy reputation because of their aggressive reproduction systems. Some of the worst weeds proliferate so quickly that they can overtake a lawn in just a season or two.
Whatever the weeds are — dandelions, chickweed, thistle, knotweed, plantain, henbit, spurge or another — you want them gone as quickly and easily as possible. Here are some top ways to take control of a seriously weedy lawn from the experts at Preen:
Mow strategically
The first step in reclaiming a lawn is mowing because it strengthens the grass by forcing it to grow more vigorously to get the water and energy it needs. This helps the grass grow stronger so it can push back against invading weeds.
Before mowing, set your mower to a higher cut height. By leaving grass longer, you allow it to retain more water, plus the height of the grass blades helps shade the ground underneath to protect roots, limit evaporation and stop weed seeds from reaching the soil. How high to leave the grass varies according to grass type, but always follow the rule of thirds: Never cut more than one-third of the blade height off per mowing. Mowing sets the stage for attacking the weeds directly.
Water regularly
One of the best ways to encourage vigorous grass growth is to water regularly. Try to water early in the day because this helps ensure water doesn’t evaporate and gives grass adequate time to soak up the H2O before peak sun periods. Strive to water deeply, penetrating the ground 6-8 inches, to build strong, drought-tolerant roots. Keep in mind, a healthy lawn needs about an inch of water per week to stay strong.
Attack weeds directly
Use a selective weed killer to knock out the weeds that are choking your lawn. Preen Lawn Weed Control kills more than 200 types of tough lawn weeds down to the roots. This product kills just the weeds, not the grass. Unlike a weed and feed, it doesn’t contain fertilizer, so you can use it any time weeds are growing without worrying about burning your lawn, even if you’ve just fertilized with another product.
Treat the whole lawn or just spot treat the weedy patches. Apply it when the grass is wet, so the granules stick to the weed leaves, which absorb the active ingredient and send it down to the roots. The weeds it treats should begin to shrivel and die over the next week or two. For seriously weedy lawns, it’s OK to reapply in 30 days, if needed.
Follow up with a smart lawn care routine
After weeds have been knocked out, it’s time to build up your lawn so it can take care of itself. Continue your mowing and watering regimen and begin a feeding program. Lawns recovering from weed problems are stressed out, so avoid high-nitrogen lawn fertilizers at first and instead use a balanced formula designed to help recovering lawns such as Turf Nurture. This routine will help the grass spread to bare spots left by dead weeds and begin to build a beautiful lawn.
Don’t settle for an awful weed-covered lawn all season long. With a few simple steps you can win the war on weeds and get the strong, lush lawn you want.
Apr
8
Update your backyard with a decorative concrete path
April 8, 2019 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – From paver patios and fire pits to LED lights and Wi-Fi entertainment systems, there are countless ways homeowners can upgrade their backyard these days. However, few additions can enrich the natural landscape of your backyard and complement th…
Apr
5
Easy DIY projects to enhance your yard and garden
April 5, 2019 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Itching for summer to arrive, when you can get out and enjoy your yard? Why not plan a DIY project to improve your outdoor space, while encouraging everyone in the family to get outside and have fun together?Here are some projects to consider, …