Sidewalks, walkways, and patios are all synonymous with the term hardscape. According to the dictionary, hardscape is a man-made feature used in the landscape as contrasted with any form of vegetation. The materials are endless from concrete to pavers, wall blocks, and tile. Outdoor living is a growing trend that can be as simple as a small walkway to an elaborate design creating spaces for ...
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Recent Posts in Home Improvement Category
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How to Pave a Walkway if You Aren't a Contractor
June 25, 2018 -
Consider These 10 Things Before Installing a Pool
June 18, 2018 Building a pool is a fun addition for all ages to enjoy and experience the addition of water. Installing a pool takes planning and budgeting of finances and time before, during and after the actual construction. There are ten steps to consider when deciding on the additional of a pool. What is the budget? Building a pool is not only the cost of building but also the maintenance and other amenities ...Continue Reading -
The Pros and Cons of Installing a Yard Irrigation System
June 6, 2018 The secret to any successful landscape is finding the right balance of sunlight, fertilization, and water—but when it comes to your lawn, the process of watering can not only be time consuming but ineffective if done incorrectly. A yard irrigation system takes the guesswork out of watering and is a popular addition to homes and businesses across the country. However, before you invest in one for ...Continue Reading -
Install a Flagpole for Memorial Day Weekend
May 23, 2018 How do you usually spend Memorial Day ? Why not honor the holiday appropriately by installing a flagpole in your front yard or business entrance? If you’ve thought about doing this project for a while, there’s no better time than Memorial Day Weekend! Why We Celebrate Memorial Day It’s easy to forget the meaning behind Memorial Day when you’re sitting at the poolside enjoying your day off. ...Continue Reading -
Checklist for New Homeowners Emphasizes Exterior Home Inspection
March 31, 2018 As you arrange the furniture and pick paint colors, it’s easy to forget about the landscaping around your new home. Your home’s landscaping not only provides visual appeal, it protects it from the elements, as well. As the leading expert in the landscaping industry, The Grounds Guys know how important it is to catch any problems early before they become an expensive fix. That tree leaning over the ...Continue Reading -
Landscape Maintenance, Ground Guys Make Home Maintenance Checklist
February 23, 2018 The Importance of Landscape Maintenance A home only looks as good as the landscape that surrounds it. GetNeighborly.com echoed the importance of curb appeal in their Home Maintenance Checklist . A Canadian version of the Home Maintenance Checklist is also available on GetNeighbourly.ca . The checklist is a collaboration of the Neighborly network to give homeowners a guide to keep their home in ...Continue Reading -
Boost Your Curb Appeal and Resale Value
September 15, 2017 The Grounds Guys of Franklin participated in a makeover featured on the Property Brothers: Buying & Selling along with fellow Neighborly company, Five Star Painting . In season seven’s fourth episode , The Grounds Guys of Franklin Franchisee Ricky Scott and his team enhanced the couple’s landscaping to make an impressive first impression for potential buyers. Need to increase your home’s resale ...Continue Reading -
Time Well Spent – Outdoors
June 1, 2017 In the heat of the summer, there is nothing more refreshing than going for a cool swim in your pool. Overall, pools are great for relaxation, exercise and they even have lots of health benefits. The season is also perfect for spending time outdoors and yard games are a great way to get everyone off their smartphones and play! Keep the fun going with landscape lighting, which accentuates your ...Continue Reading -
Pressure Washing Makes Important Visual Impact
May 10, 2017 This spring, don’t let the dirty walls or driveways stop you from making your business or home look its best. Weather and year-round wear starts to show in driveways, on siding and brick and along patios and decks. If your surroundings seem more dull than usual, we have a solution! Pressure washing (or power washing) is a great way to enhance the exterior of your home or business. Power washing ...Continue Reading -
Declutter Your Gutters
October 27, 2016 When the rain starts pouring, how do your gutters respond? Do they function exactly as they should, or do they allow water to leak down the side of your home? It’s easy to take rain gutters for granted, but if yours are in bad condition or clogged with leaves and debris, poor gutter performance could have a detrimental effect on your landscaping and foundation. You may need to have new gutters ...Continue Reading -
Landscape Your Life for Self-Improvement Month
September 8, 2016 As only an estimated 8 percent of people typically keep their New Year’s resolutions, there are plenty of people who don’t! It’s Self-Improvement Month and that gives people another opportunity to focus on enhancing your life in some way. Much like landscaping your lawn, the landscape of your life impacts your outlook on things. Follow The Grounds Guys’ suggestions below to use this time to get ...Continue Reading -
Summer Staining: Wood and Concrete
July 27, 2016 When it comes to revitalizing the hard surfaces in your back yard, sometimes a fresh coat of stain is all you need. Pick a dry day this summer to stain concrete patios, wood decks and fences. Follow this guide to ensure your staining ventures are successful. How to Stain Concrete The most common concrete surface you’ll want to stain is the patio. The process is pretty straightforward – just follow ...Continue Reading -
Power Washing Your Outdoor Surfaces
July 22, 2016 If curb appeal is important to you, power washing could be the chemical-free answer to uncovering your home’s natural beauty . Power washing cleans up your home’s exterior and the hardscaping around the property, from algae-covered roof shingles to cobwebs under the eaves to bird droppings on the sidewalk. Whether you decide to hire a professional for power washing services or you want to attempt ...Continue Reading -
Improving Your Outdoor Space
July 18, 2016 This is the perfect time of year to improve your outdoor space with additions that may include an irrigation system, outdoor living area, deck and hardscaping features. By acting now, you take advantage of the chance to work in the warm weather while still getting to enjoy the additions you make for the rest of the summer. Looking for some inspiration? Here are four ways to improve your outdoor ...Continue Reading -
Health Benefits of a Saltwater Pool
July 13, 2016 A new trend in backyard pools is saltwater pools. Saltwater pools have many benefits over traditional chlorine pools. A saltwater pool can be good for your pool and backyard, but swimming in saltwater also has health benefits. History of Bathing in Saltwater Did you know people have known about the health benefits of saltwater and seawater for thousands of years? The ancient Greek physician ...Continue Reading -
Keeping Things Green This Summer
July 3, 2016 Everyone wants a lush, beautiful yard, but this can be difficult to accomplish during a water shortage. A NASA study on lawns found that grass covers 50,000 square miles of the U.S., and the Safe Drinking Water Foundation adds that between half and three quarters of all municipally treated water in North America is for watering grass. If you’re trying to save time and money by watering less, use ...Continue Reading -
Patriotic Gardens: Celebrating Freedom with Red, White & Blue
June 24, 2016 The Fourth of July is a day that represents American freedom. Our flag’s colors of red, white and blue hold significant meanings as well. White represents purity and innocence. Red signifies hardiness and valor. And the blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice. In honor of Independence Day, display your patriotism with a red, white and blue patriotic garden. Below are common red, white ...Continue Reading -
Become a Gardener and Find Your Zen
June 8, 2016 Evidence has shown time and time again that exercising your green thumb is good for you. Gardeners live longer, and are far healthier in mind and body than their non-gardening counterparts. Take out your spade and pruning shears and celebrate this National Smile Month with a little tooth-flashing assistance from this uber-beneficial hobby… Gardening is good! It boost helps you stay healthy. Dirt ...Continue Reading -
Lawn Mowing Tricks No One Ever Told You
June 2, 2016 Mowing the grass is a pretty straightforward task, but are you unintentionally making the chore harder than it needs to be? Follow these 10 tips from Lowes to make mowing the lawn easier for you and more beneficial for your grass. Sharpen the Blades At first you may think this tip simply lengthens your to-do list, but sharp blades prevent you from having to make multiple passes. A quick investment ...Continue Reading -
Rainwater Harvesting
May 16, 2016 Unique Ways to Save on Your Water Bill For ages, we¹ve used rainwater for a variety of purposes including drinking, washing and irrigation. Although our rainwater may be too polluted to drink, it¹s still very suitable for other uses, like irrigation, washing and some indoor plumbing. The practice of using rainwater, called "rain water harvesting," is becoming more prevalent as water costs rise. It ...Continue Reading -
Creating a Beautiful Spring Lawn & Garden
May 10, 2016 As the weather warms, you may be excited to revive your dormant lawn and start gardening. Maybe you’ve been envious of your neighbor’s grass and flowers for a few seasons, and now you’re ready to learn the tricks for creating beautiful spring color on your own property. Here’s what your lawn and garden need to look their best this year. Creating a Beautiful Spring Lawn Your grass can look lush and ...Continue Reading -
10 Most Amazing Backyard Ponds
May 3, 2016 With the weather warming up, you’re probably looking forward to spending more time outside. Is your back yard ready for summer? Maybe there’s a bare patch that could benefit from the addition of a small pond. Or maybe you want to overhaul the entire back yard this spring and install a huge water fixture. Whether you’re thinking large or small, get inspired by these 10 most amazing backyard ponds. ...Continue Reading -
Spring Trends
April 12, 2016 Spring is in the air, and that means you’re probably thinking about how to prepare your yard for warmer weather. If you’re in search of some inspiration, consider these spring trends and the benefits they provide in your back yard. Landscape Trends Entertainment: If you often have friends and neighbours over on summer evenings, now’s the time to transform your backyard landscape into one designed ...Continue Reading -
Tree of the Month: Dogwood
April 5, 2016 Due to their manageable 20-to 30-foot height and unrivaled beauty in all four seasons, dogwoods are many homeowners’ ornamental tree of choice. They bloom profusely in late spring through early summer and sport gorgeous red-purple leaves and raspberry-like fruit in autumn. Learn more about dogwood trees to help you properly care for them into maturity. Choosing a Location The ideal location for ...Continue Reading -
Landscaping to Increase Your Home’s Value
March 22, 2016 Many homeowners are constantly on the lookout for ways to increase home value, especially when it’s nearly time to list it on the market. If you’ve already thought about renovating the kitchen, tearing down living room walls and adding a Jacuzzi to the master bath, it’s time to think outside the home and consider the garden. Landscaping has a surprising impact on your home’s value. It all comes ...Continue Reading -
Mulch Madness
March 8, 2016 As you prepare your flowerbeds this spring, you may be facing a quandary: to mulch or not to mulch? Consider these pros and cons of this common garden add-on to decide if it belongs in your yard this year. Benefits of Mulch Mulch blocks the sun. This helps protect plant roots from heat damage and prevents weeds from taking hold. Freezing, melting and refreezing water can cause heaving, which is ...Continue Reading -
Is Melting Ice Dangerous?
February 25, 2016 Some people love winter and the magic of falling snow. Others want nothing more than to torch the white stuff and get back to warmer temperatures. No matter which category you fall in, you have to deal with ice and snow each winter if you live in a cold climate. Melting ice can pose some interesting hazards. Here are some of the dangers of melting ice and the solutions to help you avoid them. Ice ...Continue Reading -
Plan Your Spring Landscape
February 19, 2016 Does your backyard feel like wasted space? It doesn’t have to – you just need the right landscape design to suit your needs. Make plans now to transition your landscape this spring with the help of a landscape designer. Landscape Design Ideas Sometimes the hardest part about landscaping your yard is finding the right ideas you need to begin the project. Get inspired by these landscape design ideas ...Continue Reading -
Save Money on Energy Efficient Outdoor Lights
February 9, 2016 You have many options for illuminating your property at night, but energy efficiency is an important feature no matter what type of outdoor lights you choose. Consider some outdoor lighting products designed to make your yard look beautiful and save you money on electricity at the same time. Efficient Bulbs It was once a common practice to use traditional incandescent bulbs for both indoor and ...Continue Reading -
Preparing for Spring: Planting Annuals & Splitting and Replanting Perennials
February 4, 2016 Punxsutawney Phil in Punxsutawney, Pa., has spoken… we can expect an early spring this year! As onlookers witnessed at the annual Groundhog Day event, the beloved groundhog did not see his shadow. Whether Phil was spot on or a little off on his predication, it’s time to start making your preparations to have a beautiful and healthy spring garden. Do you need a little help getting started with your ...Continue Reading -
Light Up the Holidays Safely and Efficiently
November 17, 2015 If you’re among the two-thirds of Americans who decorate their homes with electric lights for the holidays, it’s important to light up your home efficiently so you can be festive without draining your wallet. Even more importantly, you need to install lights safely so the best intentions don’t turn into a trip to the emergency room. Here’s what you need to know. Lighting Up the Holidays ...Continue Reading -
Planning Your Landscape Lighting
November 13, 2015 Landscape lighting is fast becoming an integral part of the landscaping industry, as more and more people realize the benefits to their homes and businesses. In addition to added curb appeal, lighting can add warmth and security to any garden, walkway, or entrance. Whether you're looking to enhance an existing system or start from scratch, planning your landscape lighting will help you achieve a ...Continue Reading -
Illuminate Your Landscape with Lighting
November 5, 2015 Do you feel like your home or business is left in the dark at night? Whether you’re hoping to increase safety or improve the aesthetics of your building, landscape lighting is the perfect answer to help shed light on your home or business. Check out these tips from The Grounds Guys on the benefits you can expect from landscape lighting and some of the options you have in landscape lighting: ...Continue Reading -
Pumpkin Decorating 101: From Traditional to Whimsical
October 29, 2015 It’s that time of year when the leaves are changing colors and floating to the ground, the grass is beginning to fade to brown, and the scents of wood burning and pumpkin pies cooling are wafting up your nostrils. For many, there’s no better time than this time of year. Speaking of pumpkin pies, have you selected your perfectly sized, shaped and shade of color pumpkins to decorate your home or put ...Continue Reading -
5 Ways to Effectively Use Your Compost
October 20, 2015 By Maggie Saint John Did you know that compost is one of the best materials available to enrich your soil and help you grow healthier plants? Applying finished compost packed with nutrients can help plants resist disease and fight off insects as well as ensure the vitality and growth of plants in the future. What are ways to effectively use your finished compost? Review these five ways to use ...Continue Reading -
Fall Color: What to Plant
October 1, 2015 As the sunny, warm, brightly colored flowers of summer begin to fade, instead of lamenting about the days past, look ahead to the colors of fall! Now is a great time to uncover new blooms that flourish in the cooler, milder days of fall. If you’re looking to add gorgeous fall colors to your property, here are some examples of beauties to plant right now! Some are annuals that will only last for ...Continue Reading -
Health Benefits of Power Washing
September 29, 2015 Are you looking for a way to create a healthier, more beautiful outdoor environment for your home or business? You could spend time and effort scrubbing surfaces by hand – or you could hire a professional to power wash everything from the roof to the siding to the driveway in one fell swoop. Which sounds like the better choice to you? What is Power Washing? Also known as pressure washing, power ...Continue Reading -
Re-Staining a Deck? Power Washing Is First Step
September 24, 2015 If you spend a lot of time outside, your deck is the likely gathering place for friends and family. Has your deck seen better days? Do you hope to revitalize it without spending money on a new deck? The key is to power wash the deck before re-staining it. Why Power Washing is a Good First Step Before you even think about adding a fresh coat of stain, you need to remove the existing finish. ...Continue Reading -
The Ins and Outs of Parking Lot Maintenance
September 22, 2015 It’s amazing how much something as simple as a parking lot can make a huge difference in the curb appeal of your business or housing complex. Parking lots can deteriorate in the following ways if not maintained properly: Cracks allow weeds to start growing. Potholes annoy your customers. Pitting looks ugly and ends up tracking asphalt everywhere. Faded lines make it difficult for your patrons to ...Continue Reading -
Leave the Power Washing to the Pros
September 18, 2015 If keeping your property clean is important to you, power washing is a solution that might interest you. Power washing, also known as pressure washing, is a method of cleaning outdoor surfaces with a high-pressure jet of water. The water comes out of a handheld nozzle attached to a hose, which is subsequently attached to a water source. The prevalence of power washing has increased over the years ...Continue Reading -
The Power of Power Washing
September 10, 2015 Are grit and grime making your home or business look less inviting, or frankly, dirty and drab? Time and weather are not friends with your outdoor areas. Over time, grit and grime build up on your exterior surfaces. However, the professionals at The Grounds Guys have great news! You can brighten and clean the façade of your home or business in a snap with professional power washing. If you want to ...Continue Reading -
7 Tips for Choosing Aquatic Flowers & Plants
September 8, 2015 Did you know that taking your pond from ordinary to extraordinary can be as simple as selecting the perfect aquatic plants? Colorful flowers or green plants can give your pond that extra bit of spark to catch onlookers’ eyes and improve your curb appeal dramatically. Below are some tips to consider when choosing plants that work best for enhancing your pond: Fake or Real? – This is answered by ...Continue Reading -
Populating Your Pond with Fish
August 25, 2015 Adding fish to your backyard pond is a great way to enhance its beauty and lower the mosquito population. Here’s what you need to know about preparing your pond, choosing fish and caring for them. Preparing Your Pond for Fish To help ensure your fish live long, happy lives, prepare the pond with these tips: Plant several types of plants that grow above and below the water. This shades the pond, ...Continue Reading -
Examine the Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools
August 19, 2015 As any pool owner will tell you, chlorine is hazardous to store and handle. If it weren’t for backyard swimming pools, there would be no reason to keep this dangerous chemical anywhere near your house. Perhaps this is one reason you’re considering a saltwater pool. Once reserved for luxury hotels, these systems are now available for backyard pool owners to enjoy right on their property. Learn the ...Continue Reading -
Keeping Your Fountain or Pond Clean and Clear
August 10, 2015 In the heat of the summer, there is nothing more refreshing than going for a swim in your pool or listening to the tranquil sounds of your outdoor fountain. But before you can dive into your pool’s cool blue water or relax and enjoy the serenity of your fountain, you have to perform the regular maintenance that prolongs their crystal-clear perfection. It’s no fun swimming in or sitting by a murky, ...Continue Reading -
Keeping Landscapes Beautiful During Drought
August 4, 2015 Prolonged drought can wreak havoc on your landscape. The average property owner spends 60 percent of their water bill on outdoor irrigation, and during times of drought, imposed water restrictions can leave you watching your precious, beautiful lawn dry up, turn brown and die. Instead of watching your lawn waste away, have you ever thought about synthetic turf? Many home and business owners are ...Continue Reading -
Beat the Heat with Energy Efficient Landscaping
July 30, 2015 Keeping your home cool without breaking the bank is the ultimate goal for many homeowners who are feeling the heat not only from the summer but the growing bills. If this is you, we have great news! Cooling Things Off from the Outside While most of you may know about the countless ways to be more energy efficient inside your home, have you ever thought about what you can do to keep things cool ...Continue Reading -
Is Your Backyard A Breeding Ground for Bugs?
July 14, 2015 As you sit out under the stars on those warm summer nights, the last thing you want to do is swat at mosquitoes and shoo away bugs. In addition to being a nuisance, bugs can carry diseases harmful to humans, animals and plants. To keep bugs at bay this summer, check for the warning signs inviting to bugs, and take steps to ensure your backyard isn’t a breeding ground for irritating insects. ...Continue Reading -
Bring on the Sparkle with Power Washing
July 9, 2015 Over time, especially the hot and dry days of summer, your home or office may have dust, cobwebs, pollen, smoke, ash and more built up on it making it dull and dirty. To get rid of this dirt and grime, the experts at The Grounds Guys say residential and commercial property owners should power wash every two years, or as needed. When it comes to power washing, here are some of the basics to ...Continue Reading -
Irrigation: Different Techniques and Benefits
July 6, 2015 If you walk down the lawn care aisle at your local hardware store, you will see a wide assortment of tools designed to help keep your lawn green. Everything from special hoses to timed sprinklers that walk around your lawn like an animal to spray nozzles that have turn dials with countless water stream options can be found. Yes, it is definitely easy to feel overwhelmed… but you don’t have to! The ...Continue Reading -
Get Creative with Lawn Mowing Patterns
June 30, 2015 Did you know that mowing your lawn is often considered an art? It’s true! With a few surprisingly simple mowing tricks, property owners can turn their lawns into unique masterpieces that are the talk of the town. Since the warmer weather warrant that lawns need mowing more frequently, it’s the perfect time to experiment with some new and creative mowing patterns, or let the professionals at The ...Continue Reading -
The Ins and Outs of Building a Retaining Wall
June 23, 2015 Let’s face it, not every yard is perfect. Nature is uneven, unpredictable and uncontrollable. Sometimes there is a hill where you want it to be flat, and sometimes it’s flat, where you might prefer a hill. Take control by building a retaining wall in your yard. Retaining walls hold many different purposes: Turn a hill into a multi-level landscape Level a yard that was previously on a hill Create a ...Continue Reading -
Recognizing Lawn Diseases and What to Do
June 18, 2015 If the curb appeal of your home or business is declining because your turf grass is looking a bit puny, you may have to put on your plant detective hat and go to work. To identify lawn diseases, you need to take a systematic approach to diagnose the problem before you can properly treat your grass. The Grounds Guys® can help walk you through a little green detective work so you can restore your ...Continue Reading -
Grass Clippings: What to Do with Them
June 16, 2015 When you leave grass clippings in the yard, does that make you a lazy groundskeeper? No! It makes you a pro at grasscycling and the king/queen of innovative nutrition for your lawn. The experts at The Grounds Guys have a few tips on how you can be the next “Grasscycling Guru,” protect your lawn, and help the environment all at the same time. All you have to do is leave the grass clippings where ...Continue Reading -
What Is Overseeding and Slit Seeding?
June 10, 2015 If your lawn looks like a patchwork quilt with some bare spots disrupting its uniform look, you may not need to tear everything out and start over by completely re-seeding it. There’s a simpler fix to restore your yard to its lush beauty -- overseeding. It’s the same lawn seeding technique used by landscapers to sow cool-season grass seeds on top of warm-season turfgrasses to achieve a green lawn ...Continue Reading -
Warm or Cool Weather: Finding a Grass That Fits
June 4, 2015 With over 10,000 species of grass in the world, it seems a little intimidating trying to decipher which grass is your perfect fit. Different climates, soil, and personal needs add a little more to the confusion to the question: What grass will grow best in my yard? If you look at a map of the U.S. provided by Lowe’s Home Improvement and divide it into three rows, you start to break down the types ...Continue Reading -
Creating Outdoor Living Spaces on a Budget
May 26, 2015 If your back yard is currently just wasted space, why not revitalize it in time for summer? Outdoor living is a way to reconnect with nature and utilize your property to the fullest. But what about staying on budget? With these frugal ideas, you can create a beautiful, budget-minded back yard getaway. Utilize Salvaged Flooring Products Slate slabs nestled among pea gravel make for beautiful ...Continue Reading -
Uncover Your Home's Beauty with Power Washing
March 10, 2015 Lurking beneath your home's ugly-duckling facade may be a beautiful swan. But years of dirt and grime may have built up on your home's exterior, causing it to look dingy and dated. The barrier preventing your home from unleashing its hidden beauty may simply be its need for a power washing. If done correctly, this type of exterior cleaning, also known as pressure washing, can strip years off your ...Continue Reading -
Animal Control: Protect Your Yard from Wildlife
January 22, 2015 A beautiful yard that beckons birds and butterflies may also have an invisible "Welcome to the Diner" sign that invites nuisance wildlife to feast on your backyard buffet of plants. Flowers and even foliage plants, such as hostas, are irresistible to cute critters that become anything but cute after you survey the damage they cause. At first glance, some of these visitors may appear harmless, but ...Continue Reading -
Giving a Little TLC to Indoor Plants
January 19, 2015 Everyone loves a little tender loving care (TLC). And plants are no exception! Just like taking care of your loved ones, vehicles, homes and other items, houseplants require some undivided attention every now and then to keep them performing at their optimal level. And who doesn’t appreciate a thriving green or blooming plant in the home or office? Indoor plants offer people many benefits, ...Continue Reading -
Pest Control: Take Action Before It Gets Out of Hand
January 13, 2015 Managing lawn and garden pests fulfills the adage that it's easier to prevent a problem than treat a problem. But unless you have a crystal ball, it's impossible to foresee all pest problems. So the second-best strategy for pest control is to take swift action as soon as you see early signs of damage. Otherwise, the uncontrolled pests may broaden their attack from the initially targeted plants to ...Continue Reading