Put your garden to work over winter by planting a cover crop this fall. Covering the soil with plants that are turned into the soil or smothered and allowed to decompose in spring provides many benefits. Fall-planted cover crops protect the soil from erosion over winter and reduce stormwater runoff into nearby waterways and storm […]
yard maintenance
Posted inAt Home
Stay Safe as You Get Back Outside to Work on Your Lawn and Backyard
Spring is coming, and as we get out our lawn mowers and other outdoor power equipment from storage to work in our yards, businesses and other green spaces, it’s important to put safe practices in place. “Think safety first,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Composting an Easy Solution to Fallen Leaves
Maple leaves and tree needles are starting to pile up. Do you have a plan for what to do with the excess leaves? Now is a great time to sign up for compost service. Curbside compost service is available to many homes in Kitsap. See if your home is eligible for compost (yard and food […]
Posted inAt Home
Your Fall Home and Yard Maintenance Checklist
Regularly checking your home for maintenance needs throughout the year is the best way to keep the home safe and prevent the need for costly emergency repairs. But fall is one time of year when you really need a thorough, systematic inspection to make sure your home has weathered the summer heat and is ready […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Seven Steps for Keeping Your String Trimmer Running Strong With a Tune-Up
The gas-powered string trimmer, also known as a weed whacker, is a common yard and garden tool. Because they are less complicated than a lawnmower, many people do not know that string trimmers can benefit from a tune-up. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute shares seven tips to help you tune up your string trimmer for […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
10 Steps to Winterizing Your Outdoor Power Equipment
If you’re done aerating and getting your lawn ready for the winter, you’re probably ready to put your outdoor power equipment away. Did you know that outdoor power equipment needs to be winterized before it is stored for the fall? That helps avoid problems in the spring. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) recommends for […]
Posted inGarden
Pruning Sustainably
Sustainability is not a word generally used to describe pruning practices. Wikipedia has a more accepted use of the word: “Sustainable development is the organizing principle for sustaining finite resources necessary to provide for the needs of future generations of life on the planet. It is a process that envisions a desirable future state for […]
Posted inAt Home
8 Spring Spruce-ups and Maintenance Chores for Your Home
After a wet Washington winter, there are plenty of tasks to do to keep things in order around your home. A little routine maintenance will protect your investment and prevent more serious issues down the line. Here are some basic “chores” for your spring to-do list: Once you have tackled these mostly easy tasks, your […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Proper Care Helps Driveways Look Like New, Boosts Curb Appeal
Our driveways get a lot of use and not much attention. You maintain your yard and home, but when was the last time you showed your driveway some love? A few simple maintenance tips will keep this part of your home in top condition and help increase your curb appeal. Concrete and asphalt driveways are […]