May
10
5 steps to prepare for natural disasters
May 10, 2019 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Whether it’s hurricanes, tornadoes or snowstorms, natural disasters can occur anywhere at any time. When they do, it’s often sudden, so being prepared ahead of time is key. However, only 39% of Americans are prepared for an unexpect…
May
9
(BPT) – Segmental retaining wall units are one of the most versatile landscaping tools in the homeowner’s and professional landscaper’s toolbox. Retaining wall units have evolved from just retaining soil, transitioning slopes and preventing…
May
9
5 steps to a healthy spring lawn
May 9, 2019 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – After a long winter, it’s finally time to enjoy the outdoors again. For a healthy yard all season, it’s important to do a little “spring cleaning” now for a lush, green lawn. If the work seems overwhelming, projects can be accomplished over several weekends.
Here are six simple projects to help achieve a beautiful lawn this season.
1. Rake
Lawn and garden experts recommend giving the yard a good raking after green starts to show. Raking helps separate matted patches of grass caused by snow mold (if snow is typical for the local climate) and will remove debris and dead grass blades to help prevent excess thatch from developing.
Raking the whole lawn presents opportunities to spot problem areas and remove debris such as pet waste and fallen branches.
2. Give the lawn a “checkup”
Look for signs of compacted soil, such as moss growth, water pooling in low areas or bare spots in the lawn. Compaction can be caused over time by activities in the lawn like foot traffic from children or pets playing in the yard. If the soil appears compacted or the grass is growing poorly, it’s a good idea to aerate the lawn in the spring or plan to aerate in the fall.
3. Feed
A spring feeding sets the stage for a healthier, greener lawn all season. In the Northern U.S., spring is a great time to prevent crabgrass and kill broadleaf weeds like dandelion. If you’re not planning spring seeding projects, tackle three things at once with Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action. It not only feeds to strengthen the lawn, but also kills dandelion, clover and other weeds while preventing crabgrass for four months. For homeowners living in the South, Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action is an innovative 3-in-1 formula specially designed to prevent and kill fire ants for up to six months, kill stubborn lawn weeds and feed southern grasses like St. Augustine and centipede grass.
4. Seed
Come springtime, the lawn may have bare patches or thin areas that need fixing. The best time to spread grass seed depends on the grass type. Cool-season grasses most commonly found in the Northern U.S. should be seeded early or mid-spring. Warm-season grasses found predominately in the South should be seeded in late spring or early summer. (If a crabgrass preventer or weed control product was recently applied or is going to be applied to the lawn, check the product label for seeding restrictions.)
Bare spots, like those caused by weed dieback, snow mold or dog spots should be fixed using a patching product like Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade which combines grass seed, fertilizer and a water absorbent mulch into an easy-to-apply product. If the lawn is thin overall, use an overseeding product like Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade which combines grass seed, fertilizer and a soil improver to help turn weak, thin grass into a thick, green lawn. Newly seeded areas should be watered daily until grass reaches mowing height (two to three inches).
5. Water carefully
Rains are usually plentiful in the spring, but if the lawn has taken on a grayish cast, or footprints don’t disappear quickly because grass blades don’t spring back, it may be time to water. Watering before 10 a.m. allows the water to soak into the soil and be absorbed by grass roots. Watering midday causes water to evaporate quickly, and watering in the evening leaves moisture sitting on the grass, which promotes fungus and other diseases. Water long enough for moisture to reach six to eight inches into the soil where the grass roots grow. For new grass or newly seeded areas, water daily using an oscillating sprinkler, as pulsating sprinklers wash away seeds before grass can grow.
6. Mow high
Before the first mow of the season, sharpen the mower blade to avoid damaging grass. Don’t cut grass too short, as it increases risks for weed infestation and diseases. Taller grass is also more drought resistant, because roots grow deeper and absorb moisture. Don’t mow grass while wet — this can clog the mower and leave clumps of grass behind. To avoid compacting the soil, change up the mowing direction and patterns each time.
A little lawn maintenance in spring will make it easier to enjoy a beautiful green yard all season. For more useful lawn care tips, visit scotts.com.
May
8
(BPT) – Pocket doors are the ideal solution for a variety of places in the home without room for traditional swinging doors or where they simply don’t make sense. Sliding sleekly into the wall, pocket doors disappear, providing an easy and elegant way to transition from room to room.
When installing a pocket door, make sure the frame is strong and sturdy. A smart choice is Johnson Hardware’s smooth-rolling pocket door hardware and track systems, which exceed ANSI standards. This means they can successfully complete 100,000 opening and closing cycles, giving you peace of mind.
Here are five other reasons to use Johnson Hardware’s pocket door frames:
Supports wall-mounted fixtures
The rigid all-steel split studs of the 2000 Series pocket-door frame can support wall-mounted fixtures, such as shelves, without causing undue stress on the studs, frame or operation of the pocket door. And because the steel studs are straight and rigid, there’s no need to worry about the wall on either side of the door bowing in or out.
Strong design with easy installation
Johnson Hardware’s updated 2000 Series is a heavy-duty pocket door frame that has split studs made entirely of steel. Designed for installation in 2×4 walls, the 18-gauge cold-rolled galvanized steel studs can support solid-core doors weighing up to 400 pounds, which is twice the capacity of standard pocket door frame kits. Even with its advanced design and construction, the frame installs in about an hour, same as a typical pocket door frame kit.
An ingenious bypass door system
The 1562 Series all-steel split stud pocket door frame is designed for use in 2×6 walls. It’s the perfect choice when installing sliding bypass doors in a wide opening. Both doors slide into the same pocket on just one side of the opening. And the heavy-duty all-steel studs are strong and rigid enough to support each door. An ingenious guide system eliminates the need for a bottom track to keep the doors parallel.
Gain usable floor space
When using the 1562 Series pocket door frame in a bypass situation — both doors slide into the same pocket — you gain not only an elegant way to close off a wide opening, but also lots of usable floor space, which is something that must be sacrificed with traditional swinging doors.
Soft-open and -close feature prevents noise and pinched fingers
The 1560SC Series is an all-steel split-stud pocket door frame that features Johnson Hardware’s soft-open/soft-close technology: When you slide the door open to within 2 inches of the side jamb, the door automatically glides to the fully opened position. And when the door is pulled closed, and is 2 inches from the strike jamb, the soft-close mechanism engages and the door glides to a stop.
For more information, visit www.johnsonhardware.com or call 800-837-5664.
Follow the company on:
Twitter: @JohnsonHrdware
Instagram: johnsonhardware
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/johnsonhardware/?etslf=11197&eq=johnson%20hardware
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnsonhardware1958/
May
8
(BPT) – Pocket doors are the ideal solution for a variety of places in the home without room for traditional swinging doors or where they simply don’t make sense. Sliding sleekly into the wall, pocket doors disappear, providing an easy and elegant way to transition from room to room.
When installing a pocket door, make sure the frame is strong and sturdy. A smart choice is Johnson Hardware’s smooth-rolling pocket door hardware and track systems, which exceed ANSI standards. This means they can successfully complete 100,000 opening and closing cycles, giving you peace of mind.
Here are five other reasons to use Johnson Hardware’s pocket door frames:
Supports wall-mounted fixtures
The rigid all-steel split studs of the 2000 Series pocket-door frame can support wall-mounted fixtures, such as shelves, without causing undue stress on the studs, frame or operation of the pocket door. And because the steel studs are straight and rigid, there’s no need to worry about the wall on either side of the door bowing in or out.
Strong design with easy installation
Johnson Hardware’s updated 2000 Series is a heavy-duty pocket door frame that has split studs made entirely of steel. Designed for installation in 2×4 walls, the 18-gauge cold-rolled galvanized steel studs can support solid-core doors weighing up to 400 pounds, which is twice the capacity of standard pocket door frame kits. Even with its advanced design and construction, the frame installs in about an hour, same as a typical pocket door frame kit.
An ingenious bypass door system
The 1562 Series all-steel split stud pocket door frame is designed for use in 2×6 walls. It’s the perfect choice when installing sliding bypass doors in a wide opening. Both doors slide into the same pocket on just one side of the opening. And the heavy-duty all-steel studs are strong and rigid enough to support each door. An ingenious guide system eliminates the need for a bottom track to keep the doors parallel.
Gain usable floor space
When using the 1562 Series pocket door frame in a bypass situation — both doors slide into the same pocket — you gain not only an elegant way to close off a wide opening, but also lots of usable floor space, which is something that must be sacrificed with traditional swinging doors.
Soft-open and -close feature prevents noise and pinched fingers
The 1560SC Series is an all-steel split-stud pocket door frame that features Johnson Hardware’s soft-open/soft-close technology: When you slide the door open to within 2 inches of the side jamb, the door automatically glides to the fully opened position. And when the door is pulled closed, and is 2 inches from the strike jamb, the soft-close mechanism engages and the door glides to a stop.
For more information, visit www.johnsonhardware.com or call 800-837-5664.
Follow the company on:
Twitter: @JohnsonHrdware
Instagram: johnsonhardware
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/johnsonhardware/?etslf=11197&eq=johnson%20hardware
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnsonhardware1958/
May
8
(BPT) – Do-it-yourself projects are more popular than ever, and it’s no wonder why; they make for a great weekend activity and are a creative way to add handmade touches to your space. Whether it’s gardening, cooking, or simply being creati…