“Great Ideas for holiday themed containers that don’t take long at all.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Tag Archives: Outdoor Living
So You Say: 30 Design Mistakes You Should Never Make
“Over the years we’ve probably all learned a few lessons the hard way. Hopefully, we were able to move on from them and not repeat them. Here are some that we particularly like.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Tree Roots vs. Sewer Pipes: 5 Ways to Win The Underground Battle
“More than once we’ve had friends and neighbors contact us on how to deal with tree roots. It’s no fun and it can be expensive. Here are some great tips from ‘American Home Shield’ on how to avoid and work through the problems.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Tree Roots in drain pipes can be a major problem in the home. Learn the best tips to killing tree roots in your sewer pipes.
Mature trees add so much beauty to a neighborhood, especially in the springtime when they are in bloom. The natural shade is lovely. But did you know tree roots can be a terrible adversary for your sewer pipes? Everyone loves trees, right? But sewer pipes are important too, for obvious reasons. There must be a mutually beneficial answer. Here are some some important things to know about how roots can wreck your pipes and what to do if you have a problem.
Preventing Tree Roots in Sewer Pipes
1. There’s no denying the natural attraction – The water and nutrients flowing through your pipes are the things tree roots crave. Even a tiny crack or a loose joint can release vapors that attract roots like an aphrodisiac. Roots can work their way in to these openings and continue to grow until eventually they form a root mass that could totally block the pipe, causing the content to back up into your house. Tree roots are the number one cause of underground pipe damage.
2. The telltale gurgle: catch the problem early – Just like many household problems, it is best to catch the problem early. The longer you wait, the more expensive and extensive the repair solution might be. When your sewer pipes first start to clog, you may notice a gurgling sound in the toilet. You may have slow drains you clear out again and again, but the clog keeps coming back. You may notice that the toilet gurgle and slow drains occur in conjunction with water backing up in the bathtub or around your washing machine. These are all warning signs that there could be a “root meets pipe” conflict going on underground.
Now that you know what to look for and what to expect, you may be able to prevent big problems or at least know how problems might be fixed. Trees and pipes co-existing. It’s a win-win!
For more ways to protect your home, check out more from the blog.
Sources:
http://www.paininthedrain.com/roots/
http://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/repair/how-to-stop-tree-roots-from-plugging-sewer-lines/view-all
https://www.lowesforpros.com/articles/4-steps-to-dealing-with-invasive-tree-roots_a1495.html
http://www.plumbingprofessors.com/sewer-issues/roots-in-sewer/
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/home-remedy-kill-roots-sewer-pipe-92510.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a8769/how-to-keep-roots-from-wrecking-your-sewer-line-15248761/
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/warning-signs-main-sewer-line-clog.html
Prepare Your Home for Trick-or-Treaters
“Is your house ready for Trick or Treaters? You can make your home spooky, but don’t forget they still need to be able to make it to the door without a lot a trouble.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Your home might not need a costume on Halloween, but it does need to be ready for any neighborhood ghosts, goblins or witches who drop by for a treat. If you plan to participate in the festivities, here are a few helpful tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and National Fire Protection Association to help ensure that trick-or-treaters have a safe, yet haunted, night.
Turn on the light. A front porch light signals to trick-or-treaters that you’re ready for them to knock on the door. If you run out of candy or don’t wish to participate in Halloween, you can let people know by turning off the porch light.
Display holiday decor. A pumpkin here or a floating ghost there lets people know that you’re excited about the holiday.
Clear a path. If you put out Halloween decor, leave a clear path for anyone coming to knock on the front door. Extra personal objects like bikes, potted plants or children’s toys should also be removed from the sidewalk and porch so that no one trips on them.
Sweep the sidewalk. Fall means leaves littering the ground, which fits the season but could be a slipping hazard. Before trick-or-treaters arrive, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sweeping away any debris or moisture from the sidewalk or driveway.
Check lightbulbs. Once you flip on the front porch light switch, check to see if you have any burned-out bulbs. Replace them so that your front door and steps are well-lit.
Turn on extra lights. You may not normally turn on every light in the front of your home, but doing so will assist infrequent visitors who are coming to see you. To make their journey a little easier, switch on any additional lights, such as garage or stair lights. This gesture will help make sure that everyone can safely get to the front door.
Add safe and festive lighting. A few lanterns along the path put light right at trick-or-treaters’ feet. Battery-operated lights offer illumination without the hazards that come with an open flame, says Judy Comoletti, division manager for public education at the National Fire Protection Association. If you use a real candle, she says, a trick-or-treater’s costume could drape onto it and catch on fire. “If you absolutely need to use a real candle, you have to be more vigilant,” she says.
Homeowners who choose to have open flames need to watch them at all times, keep them 1 foot away from anything that can burn, and sit them on a sturdy, level surface.
Put away pets. Your family pet may be the nicest on the block, but not everyone knows that or likes animals. You also don’t want your pet to inadvertently hurt any candy-seeking visitors. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that homeowners keep pets inside and away from the door for everyone’s benefit, including the pets’.
Greet guests. If you plan to spend the whole night passing out treats, sit on your front porch swing or create a seating area for yourself. This lets visitors know that you’re ready for them to stop. Plus you can watch the parade of costumes.
Prepare for a spooktacular evening. Once you have the lights on, decor out and hazards put away, you can enjoy a safe, spooky night in the neighborhood.
By Brenna Malmberg, originally appearing on HOUZZ
To-Dos: Your October Home Checklist
“As we turn to Fall it’s time to get ready for the colder months by taking care of a few maintenance items and preparing for other Winter activities.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
The leaves are falling, the farmer’s markets are bustling and the cozy comforts of home beckon — it must be October. Make the most of this month’s bountiful harvest, get some exercise raking leaves in the brisk air and button down your house in preparation for winter. Then sit back, relax and warm your hands around a mug of hot apple cider. Fall is here.
1. Rake leaves. To make quicker work of collecting leaves from a large lawn, rake the fallen foliage onto a large plastic tarp. Then bag it or add it to your compost pile.
2. Trim dead tree limbs. Dead limbs are more likely to fall during winter storms, making them a potential safety hazard. Have an arborist inspect and trim large trees.
3. If you haven’t already, clean gutters and downspouts. Wait until most of the leaves have fallen to schedule a rain gutter cleaning. Inspect gutters and downspouts for cracks and loose parts and make repairs as needed.
4. Neaten up the mudroom. The back-to-school (and work) flurry can leave the mudroom looking as if a hurricane hit it. Take some time to regain sanity — sort through papers and put away stray summer items and extra coats. Clean the floors and invest in a new doormat if needed. Keep a recycling basket near the entrance to make sorting mail and school papers easier, and dedicate a tote or bin for items that need to be returned (like library books).
5. Keep seasonal decorating low-key with natural finds. Pumpkins and gourds, fresh heirloom apples, quinces, pomegranates, figs and fall foliage all make wonderfully simple decor.
Bring in cut branches from your yard, stop by a pick-your-own farm or scoop up fall’s bounty at a farm stand.
6. Maintain your wood stove or fireplace. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, it’s essential for safety that you have it serviced before lighting the first fire of the season. If you haven’t done so already, schedule an appointment to have your chimney inspected and, if necessary, cleaned.
7. Check safety devices. Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the house and replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on the kitchen fire extinguisher and replace it if needed.
8. Start a gift list. It may seem like the holidays are a long way off — but that’s why it pays to start getting organized now. Start a list of everyone you plan to give gifts to this year. Then, as ideas strike, jot them down on your list. You can also use your list to keep track of a holiday gifting budget. And if you want to make any gifts by hand, October is a great time to get started — handmade gifts always seem to take longer to make than expected.
9. Cover or store outdoor furniture and grills. If you plan to leave your patio furniture or grill outside through the fall and winter, cover them well and stow them beneath an overhang that will protect them from rain and snow. Even if you live in a mild climate, covering your grill between uses is a good idea to protect the finish.
10. Shut off exterior faucets and store hoses for winter.Disconnect, drain and roll hoses before storing them for the winter. Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets to prevent frozen pipes.
Originally Published on HOUZZ by Laura Gaskill
7 Drought-Tolerant Perennials for Your Home Garden
“Ever noticed that during the hottest part of the Summer, some plants look better than others? Well, here are some that really don’t need a lot of care or watering.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
During the summer, when your lawn and garden is in danger of drying up in the sun, plant these resilient flowers to liven up your yard.
Garden plants need water to survive, but some plants need less than others. Plants that require less water are often referred to as drought-tolerant or drought-resistant varieties and are good choices for gardeners. Keep in mind that just because something is labeled as drought tolerant doesn’t mean that it can get by without any water at all; all plants need adequate moisture to grow. Additionally, not all plants will thrive in all areas, so be sure to choose plants that are suited for your particular growing zone and soil type. Here’s a list of some drought resistant choices that you might want to consider for your area.
Related: Help Your Lawn Through Drought and Dry Weather
Hosta is a perennial that can grow in sun or shade. Known for their easy care, hostas have showy leaves and come in a variety of sizes with white or lavender flowers. When choosing a spot, remember that hosta plants prefer well-drained soil.
• Rosemary is a drought resistant perennial and herb with spiky leaves that adds interesting texture as well as a nice fragrance to the garden. Fresh rosemary leaves are especially good in potato, pork, chicken, and soup recipes. Other drought-tolerant herbs that grow perennially in some parts of the country are thyme, sage, and oregano.
• After they’ve bloomed in the spring, daylilies are another perennial that appear to be high maintenance but actually require minimal water and care. Daylilies come in many of colors and go dormant in the winter.
• After Lantana plants are established, they don’t require much water when compared to many other blooming plants. Lantana can grow in gardens or in containers, and are classified as annuals or perennials, depending on the region. The flower clusters of Lantana are often shades of yellow, light purple, and pink, and may change as the plant matures.
• Oakleaf and Panicle are two hydrangea varieties that are considered to be relatively hardy, drought tolerant plants. Both produce large blossoms that add beauty outdoors or when cut and brought inside.
• Salvia is a drought tolerant annual that produces long-lasting blooms in shades of red, blue, violet, pink, and white. Salvia is actually related to the herb sage. These plants work well in garden beds, borders, or in containers.
• Black-eyed Susan is a classic, popular flower that doesn’t require a great deal of water. It’s ray-like petals contrast with a dark center for an intriguing color combination.
Easy Way to Take Care of Your Perennials
Even if you choose drought resistant plants and shrubs, they will still require some maintenance and it’s important to care for them properly. It’s usually best to water plants and shrubs consistently for the first few weeks after planting to make sure they have enough moisture to get established and to make sure they don’t dry out during the fragile post-planting period. After that, it’s generally best to water perennial plants deeply as needed, instead of frequent shallow watering, during their first summer season to help the plants develop a deep root system, which aid plants in tolerating extended dry periods. It’s also helpful to mulch around the bases of plants and shrubs each year to help lock in moisture. Check with your local garden center to see which drought tolerant varieties grow best in your zone, and how to care for them.
Originally published on American Home Shield
Lounge Spaces That Keep the Party Going Outside
“There is just something about relaxing outdoors that makes it even better. And with these ideas, it’s really not that hard or expensive.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
August is a time to savor the last precious drops of summer with alfresco meals and laid-back afternoons before the start of fall. These 10 homeowners know how to enjoy lounging outdoors and have created their own resort-like spaces for spending lazy weekends, making it hard to ever leave their backyards, patios, porches, decks and courtyards. Get inspired by these fun and fresh design ideas to create an outstanding outdoor room of your own.
1. Farmhouse-Inspired DIY Style in a Suburban Kentucky Home
Travis and Amanda Hervey of Georgetown, Kentucky, spend much of their time outside on the patio under their deck with their two young kids, Ada, 5, and Eli, 2. Each family member enjoys the pair of woven outdoor swings, and this outdoor space has become an additional room of the house, filled with Amanda’s thrift-store furniture and eclectic decor. Almost everything is hand-me-down, homemade or thrifted. “I might have a few dumpster-dive treasures too,” Amanda says.
Travis and Amanda Hervey of Georgetown, Kentucky, spend much of their time outside on the patio under their deck with their two young kids, Ada, 5, and Eli, 2. Each family member enjoys the pair of woven outdoor swings, and this outdoor space has become an additional room of the house, filled with Amanda’s thrift-store furniture and eclectic decor. Almost everything is hand-me-down, homemade or thrifted. “I might have a few dumpster-dive treasures too,” Amanda says.
“Another unusual thing about houses in this region is a big backyard,” Amanda says. “Our yard backs up to a real thoroughbred horse farm and the Elkhorn Creek. Our neighbors have a zipline through their yard, and we often hike down to the creek to play. It’s very whimsical and beautiful.”
The family of four loves being right on the banks of Elkhorn Creek, which Walt Whitman wrote about in Song of Myself.
The Herveys added personality to their basic builder house with paint and some DIY projects. Amanda painted the porch floor with wide stripes and the ceiling in a Haint Blue, which is a popular practice in the South.
Outdoor lighting: Lowe’s; floor paint: Valspar Porch Paint; door paint: Web Gray, Sherwin Williams
The doily dreamcatcher panel was one of Amanda’s DIY projects using embroidery hoops, and it also gives the family a little privacy from the neighbors. She also made the side-by-side porch swings out of repurposed kitchen chairs.
2. Contemporary Farmhouse Country Vibe in Texas
Jeff Jones and Shauna Glenn built their family’s custom home in Fort Worth from the ground up on an empty 2-acre lot with a deer-friendly pond. Their bright, color-happy interior palette carries through to their outdoor patio where they enjoy lounging on a sectional with their six kids and watching TV.
Patio furniture: Frontgate; outdoor rug: Pottery Barn
The couple knew that the views out the back and the phenomenal pool area were always going to be major focal points of their backyard. Jones oversaw the installation of low-water plants all around the house, including native grasses and agave plants. The pool and hot tub were also in his purview.
A pair of white loungers, anchored in the shallow end of the pool, make the perfect place to observe the surrounding wildlife.
White lounge chairs: Ledge Loungers
Glenn’s favorite thing to do at home is “chill out by the pool.” After a trip to Cancun, the couple were inspired to find a wooden four-poster bed suited for outdoor use. This replica was created for them in Mexico. “Jeff drove all the way to Mexico to pick it up and bring it home. That’s love,” Glenn says.
3. Rooftop Terrace With a Montreal City View
Journalist and therapist Lies Ouwerkerk spends her winters exploring the world and her summers in a renovated condo in a converted sewing machine factory in the trendy St. Henri neighborhood of Montreal. A private rooftop terrace and garden located off the dining room on the main floor was built at her request. Vertical walls separate her space from the common terrace shared among other homeowners on that floor and give her complete privacy.
“I used the services of Urban Seedling to build the wooden structures on my little balcony and deck, but the designs are mine,” she says. She made the pillowcases from fabrics that she picked up in Guatemala and India.
Ouwerkerk loves that the custom-built rooftop pergola also gives her a sense of coziness and privacy despite living in a busy area near downtown. The wall trellis was a vintage find from her travels to Tunisia.
4. Eclectic Charm in a Louisiana Live-Work Cottage
Madeline and Dawson Ellis, owners of Mimosa Handcrafted Jewelry, enjoy a short walking commute from their charming 1,350-square-foot Baton Rouge home to their backyard work studio. The couple constructed a large wraparound porch along the side of the house that nearly doubled the size of their living space, and this space is now one of the most-used parts of the home.
Madeline and Dawson Ellis, owners of Mimosa Handcrafted Jewelry, enjoy a short walking commute from their charming 1,350-square-foot Baton Rouge home to their backyard work studio. The couple constructed a large wraparound porch along the side of the house that nearly doubled the size of their living space, and this space is now one of the most-used parts of the home.
The couple added a wall built of shutters along one side of the covered outdoor seating area to create more private space. It’s great for cookouts and outdoor entertaining. Dawson salvaged the red vintage fireplace from a neighbor from his childhood home.
“We all enjoy spending time outside, so the porch is very much an extension of the indoor living space. With the big table, we’re able to easily have meals outside and even enjoy it when it’s raining,” Madeline says. They use this space often to host parties and impromptu gatherings.
The Westdale modern steel porch swing, Handsome Industries
The vintage Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs go well with a large tree stump repurposed as a table.
5. Outdoor Entertaining Paradise in Southern California
Entertaining enthusiasts Carin Jacobs and Teresa Elston live in a 1929 Spanish-style home in the historic California Heights neighborhood of Long Beach. “This is such a party house,” Jacobs says. “We love all of these little outdoor entertaining areas.” The couple often host parties of 80 people or more, and they took advantage of each of their outdoor spaces. They set the yard up so that their guests can flow from the front to the back and utilized the open-concept design of the home and exterior courtyards to keep guests circulating.
Entertaining enthusiasts Carin Jacobs and Teresa Elston live in a 1929 Spanish-style home in the historic California Heights neighborhood of Long Beach. “This is such a party house,” Jacobs says. “We love all of these little outdoor entertaining areas.” The couple often host parties of 80 people or more, and they took advantage of each of their outdoor spaces. They set the yard up so that their guests can flow from the front to the back and utilized the open-concept design of the home and exterior courtyards to keep guests circulating.
In the center courtyard, the couple ripped out a tacky 1970s fountain and completely renovated the space. Now pavers, a heat lamp, an umbrella, lanterns, couches, a Mexican chimenea and twinkle lights overhead define this alfresco living space, which is enjoyed year-round.
A gently bubbling fountain on vivid tile provides a focal point for the front courtyard and additional seating around the edge. The homeowners brought in Spanish and Moroccan design influences to create a vibrant and personalized space.
6. Farmhouse Meant for Entertaining in Wenatchee, Washington
Celebratory occasions such as dinner parties, casual gatherings and weddings have taken place on the idyllic patio of Melanie and Andrew Doubroff’s 1908 farmhouse. They are pictured here with their two Australian shepherds, Abby and Buckley.The expansive outdoor umbrellas, outfitted with retro-inspired outdoor lights, create an intimate, magical space at nighttime.
The existing Trex deck was replaced with a newer version and now holds two 8-foot-long farm tables plus a 4-foot insert, built by Andrew’s twin brother and finished by Andrew to add a patina.
On this side of the yard, casual seating and vintage school-themed accessories surround an outdoor fire pit. The shed is not original to the home but is big enough to sleep a few visiting nephews and act as the perfect spot for playing school.
A narrow side yard between the south exterior wall and driveway is used as another dining and seating area, as well as a place to display container gardens.
To the side of the dining area is a lounge space. An eclectic collection of flea market tables, a wicker settee and a metal glider are arranged for easy conversation.
Blue metal glider: Apple Annie Antique Gallery
7. Early-California Style for a 1920s Home and Garden
Landscape designer Michael McIver lives in a 1929 Spanish-style home in the historic California Heights neighborhood of Long Beach, California. McIver converted the detached garage into his home office and added French doors that open to a trellis-covered patio.
“I think plants create a mood and sense of place, so when I design things, I think about intimate locations where people are going to congregate and what they might like to see,” McIver says. In his own backyard, the effect is one of tranquillity and peace. The landscape designer says he has also included uplighting in the space for nighttime. “It’s beautiful at night, very soothing.” The classic, urn-shaped fountain is the backyard‘s focal point. “It’s a 100-year-old urn I got from Shane Brown at Big Daddy’s Antiques,” McIver says. “He found it at an estate somewhere in the east, and I bought it out of his warehouse in El Segundo.”
Hummingbirds also enjoy the fountain and visit often. “If you put a water feature in your yard, it’s a guarantee you’ll get birds,” he says.
8. Modern Industrial Style for a DIY Update in Austin
The backyard of this 1967 home in Texas had an above-ground pool when Bill Symon and Jason Kays moved in. It was fun for a while, but it eventually started to leak. They replaced it with a bench-height deck and a low-maintenance xeriscape landscape.
The homeowners did a lot of the rock and granite installation themselves to save money, then left the steel edging, deck and plantings to the landscaper. The total cost, including removal of the leaking pool, was about $15,000. Kays and Simon set up a vintage projection screen for outdoor movie nights.
Kays, left, and Symon love to entertain and spend a lot of time outside hosting friends. They are pictured here relaxing with their two dogs. Symon describes a typical fall Saturday afternoon: “Windows and French doors to the screened porch open, the dogs playing out back and music playing on the Sonos whole-house sound system. We’d probably be getting ready to host a group of people for dinner and an evening by the fire pit out back.”
9. A Treehouse-Like Dwelling in Los Angeles
Beatrice Valenzuela and Ramsey Conder live in a 1924 Craftsman bungalow in Echo Parkwrapped in lush trees overlooking peaceful views of Elysian Park. With fragrant breezes, chirping birds and glorious sunsets, their home provides a beautiful live-work setting for the artisan couple to design and create for their line of handcrafted shoes, jewelry, bags, furniture and lighting. Their deck serves multiple purposes for the family, from workspace to brunch space.
Valenzuela, Conder and son Dimitri are shown relaxing on their lush terrace. “Siestas here are amazing with the birds chirping, and at the end of the day we like to admire the sunsets,” Valenzuela says. “We keep the Dutch door in the kitchen and the French doors in the living room open most of the day, so there’s a great circular airflow that comes through the house, and sometimes a bird or two will fly through,” she says. The deck is surrounded by mature Chinese plum, jacaranda, fig and orange trees. “The orange tree is full of blooms at the moment. It’s the most intoxicating fragrance,” Valenzuela says.
10. An Outdoor Sanctuary With Bohemian Flair in the Pacific Northwest
Laura Burkhart and Jake Michael’s Rhodesian ridgeback, Phinney, loves to take advantage of their backyard and outdoor area in Lake Forest Park, Washington. The couple often entertain in this space during mild Pacific Northwest summers and installed a fire pit area themselves. It gets plenty of use in the warmer months, and it’s a tradition to toast marshmallows for s’mores and stargaze late into the night. Tree stumps are repurposed as seating around the fire pit.
To ensure maximum play space for their beloved dog, the couple added a gate between their yard and Burkhart’s parents’ yard so he can enjoy running free with their dog.
The couple also built a small container garden that they enjoy tending in the spring and summer.
Originally published on HOUZZ by Janet Paik
10 Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bill This Summer
“When the heat reaches it’s peak, it’s always good to have a few ideas of how to conserve energy, while still staying cool.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
It’s Summertime, and the living is easy. Until your see your energy bill. Save money on your electric and utility bills using these energy conservation methods.
Summer is supposed to be a relaxing, low-key time, but it’s hard to unwind when you’re worried about your home’s high energy costs. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help minimize the energy your household uses during warm weather months. If you’d rather spend your budget on fun-in-the-sun activities than on utility bills, make note of these amazing energy conservation tips.
1. Use ceiling fans to help cool your room
Raise your thermostat a few degrees and use ceiling fans to cool rooms as much as possible. Ceiling fans use less electricity than air conditioners and are comfortable ways to keep air moving in your home. If you received a tax refund this year, you might want to consider using it to purchase ceiling fans for your living spaces and bedrooms to help minimize the energy that you need to keep your home a comfortable temperature during hotter months. Ceiling fans come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and styles to match virtually any décor. Be sure to look for ceiling fans with the ENERGY STAR certification.
2. Use off peak energy on your appliances
Use off peak energy as much as possible for tasks like running the dishwasher and washing and drying clothes. Check with your local utility company to see if they offer discounted rates for off peak hours and when those rates apply.
via Real Simple3. Plan no cook dinners for hot days
Plan to have no-cook dinners several times a week. In addition to saving the energy that your stove or oven will use, you’ll also avoid heating up the kitchen and making your air conditioner work harder. There are many easy, nutritional dinners that don’t require cooking. All of which are great choices:
• Green salads
• pasta salads
• sandwiches
• fruit plates
Even some chicken and meat dishes are good served cold. Who wants to eat a big, heavy meal when it’s hot outside anyway?
4. Use a thermostat-controlled attic fan
If you have an attic, consider installing a thermostat-controlled attic fan to help keep your entire house cooler. With sunlight beating down on the roof and heat rising from below, the temperature in attics can rise very quickly in the summer. An attic fan can help cool the space as well as the rooms below.
5. Maintain your air conditioning unit
For peak efficiency, it’s important to keep your exterior air conditioning unitwell maintained. Remove any leaves, twigs, or debris from around the unit, and clean the coils regularly. Change your air conditioning system filters per manufacturer’s instructions to keep energy use to a minimum.
6. Clean your freezer coils
If you have a freezer, remember that it has to work harder during warm weather months to maintain the correct temperature for frozen foods. Keep the coils clean to help it run efficiently, and check the gaskets to make sure the seal is maintained and the unit isn’t leaking cold air. Also, check to see if there is sufficient clearance room around the freezer for air to properly circulate.
7. Take energy conservation measurements before leaving the house
Before you leave on vacation, take some steps to conserve energy use while you are gone.
• Raise your thermostat, and unplug any appliances or electronics that won’t be in use while you’re away.
• Even small appliances and electronics like microwaves and television sets may continue to draw energy if they remain plugged in although they are turned off.
• Remember to set your water heater to “low” or to turn down the temperature while you are away as well.
• Put lamps and lights on timers instead of leaving them on the entire time.
• Close curtains and blinds to keep the warm sunlight out.
8. Use your bathrooms ventilating fan
When you take a shower or a bath in the summer, turn on the bathroom ventilating fan to remove heat and humidity and to help save on cooling costs.
9. Line dry your clothing
Take advantage of the warm weather to line dry clothes and linens instead of using energy to run the clothes dryer. In addition to saving electricity, you’ll save dryer wear and tear on the fabrics.
10. Learn alternative eco-friendly methods to reduce energy costs
Look into alternative ways to cool your home, such as geothermal cooling and evaporative cooling systems. Use your tax refund for window shadinghome improvements, such as installing patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens and films. Strategically placed landscaping can also help provide shade and minimize cooling costs.
You can also keep cool this summer with some old-fashioned methods that don’t require a lot of electricity or energy. Mix up a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade, or make some homemade ice cream using the hand-cranked method instead of an electric machine. Hang a hammock in the shade, and enjoy a good book. Invite the neighbors over for a cook-out instead of heating up your oven and stove. For dessert, enjoy the best summer treat of all that doesn’t even require any energy to prepare – slice open a ripe, red watermelon.
7 Ways to Rethink the Shrub
“If you have any type of yard to maintain, shrubs are a great option. But why not get a little creative for a change and do something interesting.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Shrubs are ubiquitous throughout our landscapes, many times making up a significant bulk of greenery in the garden. Often used as low-maintenance and long-term plantings around a home’s foundation or as a low walkway edge, these woody plants can do so much more.
Whether you utilize their unusual characteristics, prune them into tight forms or design with them for wildlife, you can get creative with shrubs for a more interesting and unusual garden. Here are ideas for rethinking the basic shrub.
Variegated Ivory Halo dogwood grows in a garden in New York.
1. Use variegated cultivars. Variegation can make a ho-hum shrub more visually interesting because it adds a white or creamy yellow coloration to the leaves. Variegated leaves can be highly contrasting, and the whiteness brings splashes of light to a dark shade garden.
Example species: Variegated Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’, USDA zones 2 to 8; find your zone), Ivory Halo dogwood (C. a. ‘Bailhalo’, zones 3 to 7) andvariegated wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana ‘Variegatum’, zones 4 to 8)
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata, zones 3 to 9) sports bright red berries in winter.
2. Create bird habitat. Many bird species love shrubs because the birds can hunt for bugs and lizards in them while hiding from predators. Smaller birds will nest in woody shrubs, and many shrubs produce berries that are delectable to birds. (But not to other animals; be aware of plants that are toxic to kids or pets.)
The idea of using shrubs for bird habitat isn’t new, but you may want to ask yourself how you can specifically design with shrubs to create a robust habitat for birds. Look for ways to plant near water sources, and pair shrubs with other plants that support wildlife.
See 13 North American native birds and how to attract them to your yard
3. Group together different sizes. Shown here is a grouping of the same species of small broadleaf evergreen shrubs planted at different sizes and pruned into spheres. Yes, this planting is higher-maintenance because it requires a regular pruning schedule. However, it makes for a fun and whimsical look in the garden, with textures and spheres set into a modern paving design with clean lines.
Example species: Littleleaf boxwood (Buxus microphylla, zones 5 to 9) and ‘Golden Gem’ Japanese holly (Ilex crenata ‘Golden Gem’, zones 5 to 8)
4. Channel the French parterre. A parterre garden features flowers growing in patterns and often a low shaped hedge. The parterre is useful in garden design because it creates a formal, finished look while allowing for other more loosely planted flowering or edible plants to be included.
The traditional French potager garden often uses the idea of the parterre, but with edible plants. You can also use the parterre as a border for annuals that change seasonally.
5. Create symmetry. Shrubs can be particularly useful for adding symmetrical elements to a rectilinear space. They can be minimalist, as in this example with low clipped boxwoods, or they can be looser.
Create symmetry with plantings that fit the space well by precisely planning out the spacing and pruning requirements. You can do this yourself with some simple measurements. It’s also helpful to place the shrubs while they are still in their containers. Move them around, making sure you have the spacing and alignment perfect.
6. Mix it up. On the other end of the pruning, shaping and symmetrical spectrum is a wilder-looking garden, with flowing perennials flanked by woody shrubs. Woody plants are an important element of the perennial and meadow garden because they provide structure and interest year-round. Additionally, there are many understory and woodland shrubs that can grow with a spreading form to create a naturalistic planting design.
Learn about the reasons for bringing shrubs into the flower garden
7. Offer seasonal interest. Shrubs, like trees, can provide structure to the garden design — especially in winter. Shown here is the very popular redtwig dogwood (Cornus sericea, zones 2 to 7), with bright red twigs in stark contrast to the white snow. Some deciduous shrubs have a flaming red or bright yellow autumn color as well.
10 Small-Scale Agaves Just Right for Containers
“Small containers and only a little watering, what’s not to love about this idea?”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
There are more than 200 species of agave, ranging in size from 6 inches to more than 12 feet wide. Due to their modest size and compact root systems, smaller agave species make an excellent choice for growing in containers. They require only infrequent watering and do well in summer, even in the heat. Their spiky shapes add dramatic interest to many garden spaces, big or small, along with patios, poolsides and entryways and as outdoor table centerpieces.
Here are 10 agave species that are perfect for smaller areas, with varying cold tolerances, exposure requirements and sizes to ensure there is one right for you.
1. ‘Compacta’ Queen Victoria Agave
(Agave victoria-reginae ‘Compacta’)
Native to Mexico
(Agave victoria-reginae ‘Compacta’)
Native to Mexico
This smaller version of the slow-growing Queen Victoria agave barely reaches 12 inches wide. The dark green leaves with bright white margins make this species highly desirable. This miniature native of Mexico doesn’t produce offsets (volunteers) like many other species of agave do, and it looks great when planted in groups of three or five.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8; find your zone)
Light requirement: Full sun is best, but it can handle filtered shade for a few hours a day
Mature size: Up to 8 inches to 1 foot tall and wide
2. ‘Blue Glow’ Agave
(Agave ‘Blue Glow’)
Hybrid of Agave attenuata and Agave ocahui
(Agave ‘Blue Glow’)
Hybrid of Agave attenuata and Agave ocahui
Every few years there is a new plant arrival that takes the gardening world by storm. In the succulent world, ‘Blue Glow’ agave has done just that. While it doesn’t resemble its parents, the mixing of their genes created an agave that has dark blue-green leaves with yellow and red margins that seemingly glow when backlit by the sun.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Light requirement: Full sun is best, but it can handle filtered shade for a few hours a day; filtered sun is best in low-desert zones
Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide
Totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus) adds height behind a globular golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) and a spiky rosette of black-spined agave
3. Black-Spined Agave
(Agave macroacantha)
Native to southern Mexico, including Oaxaca
3. Black-Spined Agave
(Agave macroacantha)
Native to southern Mexico, including Oaxaca
Black-spined agave’s powder-blue leaves and maroon tips provide great color contrast in the garden. This agave produces numerous offsets, creating a clumping appearance. Its narrow leaves and open rosette growth habit add welcome texture in containers.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 10 to 16 inches tall and wide
4. Agave Schidigera
(Agave schidigera)
Native to Mexico, including Chihuahua and south through central Mexico
(Agave schidigera)
Native to Mexico, including Chihuahua and south through central Mexico
The curly white fibers that grace this small agave’s bright green leaf edges capture the attention of passersby. White markings on the leaves increase Agave schidigera’s visual appeal.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun or light shade; filtered or afternoon shade is recommended in low-desert gardens
Mature size: 1 foot tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide
5. King Ferdinand Agave
(Agave nickelsiae syn. Agave ferdinandi regis)
Native to Coahuila, Mexico
(Agave nickelsiae syn. Agave ferdinandi regis)
Native to Coahuila, Mexico
The resemblance of this agave to Queen Victoria agave is unmistakable, as both have dark green leaves, similar white margins and sharp terminal tips. At one point, it was thought that King Ferdinand agave was a naturally occurring hybrid ofAgave victoria-reginae; however, this is no longer considered to be true. Its unusual shape and open rosette form make it look great planted singly in containers.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide
Agave lophantha ‘Quadricolor’ growing alongside totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var.monstrosus), ‘Blue Elf’ aloe (Aloe‘Blue Elf’) and golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii).
6. Agave Lophantha
(Agave lophantha)
Native to the Rio Grande area of Texas and adjoining Veracruz, Mexico
6. Agave Lophantha
(Agave lophantha)
Native to the Rio Grande area of Texas and adjoining Veracruz, Mexico
The leaves of this succulent are a lush green color, with curved maroon teeth along the edges. The center of the leaves often has a lighter stripe that runs the length. There are several varieties of Agave lophantha,including ‘Quadricolor’, which has yellow margins on bright green leaves. Plant it with other succulents for maximum effect.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun to light shade
Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide
7. Artichoke Agave
(Agave parryi var. truncata)
Native to central Mexico, including Durango
(Agave parryi var. truncata)
Native to central Mexico, including Durango
Wide blue-gray leaves with maroon spines bear a striking resemblance to artichoke leaves, hence this Mexican native’s common name. Prized by many for its beauty, artichoke agave is a popular choice for container gardening, whether used in rows of three in a long, narrow container or singly in a modern pot. It does produce a few offsets, which can be used elsewhere in the garden or given to friends.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full, reflected sun or filtered shade
Mature size: 3 feet tall and wide
8. Twin-Flowered Agave
(Agave geminiflora)
Native to Nayarit, Mexico
(Agave geminiflora)
Native to Nayarit, Mexico
The finely textured leaves of this bright green agave set it apart from most other species. Twin-flowered agave tolerates a range of exposures, from full reflected sun all the way to full shade, which makes it an asset in most situations.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full reflected sun to full shade
Mature size: 3 feet tall and wide
9. Mescal Ceniza
(Agave colorata)
Native to Sonora, Mexico
(Agave colorata)
Native to Sonora, Mexico
The decorative leaves of this midsize agave species are loaded with interesting features, including well-defined imprinted patterns and deeply toothed edges, which add a wavy texture to the landscape. Mescal ceniza’s blue-gray color adds a visually cooling element to hot outdoor spaces.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide
10. Queen Victoria Agave
(Agave victoria-reginae)
Native to the Chihuahuan Desert region of Mexico
(Agave victoria-reginae)
Native to the Chihuahuan Desert region of Mexico
Often described as the most beautiful agave, this one, named after Queen Victoria, lives up to its queenly name with dark green coloring and vibrant white markings. The tight rosette shape and smooth leaf edges that terminate into a single spike add to Queen Victoria’s visual appeal.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 18 inches tall and wide
See how to grow Queen Victoria agave
Agave growing tips:
- First select a pot, with a drainage hole, that is a little larger than the root ball, as agaves do better when their roots are slightly crowded. No saucer is needed, and is in fact discouraged, as sitting water can lead to overly moist soil.
- All agaves require well-drained soil, which can be created using one part compost, one part sand and one part perlite or pumice.
- Water when the top two-thirds of the soil has dried out. Water deeply, until water runs out the bottom. Watering should be done weekly in summer when temperatures are above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and very little in winter.
- Fertilize once a month during the growing season, which is typically late spring and summer.
- Repot every three years or so once the roots have little soil left to grow in.
Originally published on HOUZZ by Noelle Johnson