It’s that time again! Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to get your yard prepped and ready for another season of backyard fun. Winter can leave its mark with broken branches or dreaded bare patches, and some much-needed clean-up. No worries though! By following these 6 easy tips you will have a functional backyard oasis in no time, ready to meet all your summer needs. 1. Check Hand tools and equipment. Having the right tools is important to successfully complete any task at hand. So now is the time to gather up all those yard tools that have been stashed away all winter, and get them ready for another season of use. It is important to check if any tools need repairing or need to be replaced. Make sure you give the rest of your tools a good cleaning and acquire any additional tools that you will need for the season. Before mowing season begins, tune-up your lawnmower. Sharpen the blades, replace the spark plug, change the oil, and fill it up with fresh gas. Check your other gas & electric-powered tools as well for any needed cleaning and/or maintenance. Now would also be a good time to check your irrigation system to make sure it is functioning properly. 2. Rake & Trim In general, deciduous trees and shrubs should be trimmed in early spring when they are dormant. Trimming trees and shrubs helps promote optimal growth, appearance, and health in the coming season. Pruning shears, which are scissor action secateurs, are the best tool for small branches and make a cleaner cut than the anvil secateurs which are more of a pinching action. Lopping shears are a larger type of cutting tool that is used for larger branches and comes with a longer handle than pruning shears. Once you have finished trimming it’s time to start your lawn prep by using a rake to remove any leaves, twigs, and other debris that have accumulated over winter. 3. Inspect, Repair or Build – Deck & Fence Your deck and fence are both exposed to the elements all year long, so every spring it is important to do a thorough check for any damage that needs to be addressed before the season. Check for rot and mildew, loose boards or railings, rotten fence posts or pickets, nails that may be popping out, etc. and repair any of these problems. Give your deck a thorough cleaning with a pressure washer or good old fashioned elbow grease and deck cleaner. Once the deck is dry, apply a fresh coat of stain or sealer to make your deck look brand new and protect against the elements for another year. If you don’t have a deck and/or fence yet then spring can be the perfect time to tackle that project. There are tons of DIY fence and deck projects online that can make your outdoor space even more amazing. 4. Clean up the Shed/Garage Spring is a good time to go through and clean out anything that may be broken or that you simply don’t use anymore. Starting the season with a clean and organized space makes finding the tools you need throughout the season much easier. There are many different ways to organize your shed and/or garage and in turn maximize your space. You can add shelving units to utilize your vertical space, floating shelves, ceiling mounted storage racks, wall hooks or Peg board. Take some time to organize it now and you’ll save time in the long run. 5. Clean up the Grill I love this time of year! The snow has finally melted and it’s time to fire up the grill! My family lives on BBQ dishes through the warmer months of the year, but before we get cooking, it’s always a good idea to give the grill a little TLC. Wipe down the hose and check for any signs of holes or excessive wear, and always replace the hose if needed. Give the whole thing a good scrubbing inside and out with some warm soapy water. You may need a metal scraper tool and steel soap pads to remove cooked on leftover food and rust from the grates. Make sure to take a look at your grilling tools and replace any that are worn out. 6. Make it Easy to Maintain By creating a space that is easy to maintain, you will be able to spend more time relaxing and enjoying it. Reducing the size of your lawn can help you conserve both time and money. It can also reduce the negative environmental impact that is caused by water consumption, yard waste and gas powered lawn mowers. You could consider replacing some of your lawn space with things like flower beds, a fish pond, a water feature, or a play area for the kids. Creating an outdoor living space with a bar, dining area or fire pit is another great option. Mulch is a common yet effective way to cut down on maintenance. Mulch breaks down, fertilizes your plants and prevents weeds. It is low maintenance because you don’t have to mow it and it doesn’t need to be watered. Added bonus – It gives your backyard a pleasant aroma! Always choose your plants wisely. Research shrubs and flowers that are native to your area as they will require less maintenance, saving you both time and money. Perennials are often a good choice as you only have to buy and plant them once, and then they just keep coming back year after year. Investing in an irrigation system (hands-free watering system) is a great way to ensure your space is getting the water it needs to thrive while maintaining a low maintenance yard. These 6 tips are a great way to make the most of your outdoor living space during the warmer months. Let us know what your favourite backyard prep tips are!
6 Reasons to Move During the Spring
It’s finally here. Springtime! It’s officially the season of all things new, and what better way for new beginnings than with a big move? Calgary is seeing a growth in the older population in recent times. Are you among them? Where are you heading for your next move? Equally important is when are you relocating? For many, summertime is the ideal time to move. In reality, though, there are many benefits to moving during the spring. In fact, we highly recommend it for these reasons: 1. The Weather is Better People often forget about the debilitating summer heat when they opt to move during the summer months. As for the snow, injuries are possible even when you take strong precautions due to the ice. While the spring season comes with its own challenges, a quick look at the weather report should give you a fair warning to avoid surprise showers. Other than that, you’ll be avoiding heat exhaustion and frozen fingers. 2. The Cost of Moving is Low Because so many have scheduled their moving days for the summer, more moving companies are available to cater to you. According to economics, the higher the supply and the lower the demand, the lesser the price. By moving during the spring, you’re saving yourself a heap of money. Of course, it’s still recommended to give movers notice ahead of time — even if they’re not too busy. 3. The Kids Are Out of School Spring break is around the corner. Whether your kids go to school in-person or virtually, they now have more time to help you with moving. They can clean, pack and prepare for the big move without worrying about their studies. 4. You’ll Have a More Relaxed Summer All moves require work. And who wants to work during the summer? By moving during the spring, you’ll be way ahead when it comes to unpacking your items before the holiday season. You can go all-in for your summer vacation and not feel weighed down by the thought of a move. That’s done with! Spend your first summer in your new home with a carefree state of mind. 5. It Will Encourage You to Do Spring Cleaning Spring cleaning can be a pain. But if you move during the spring, you now have the motivation to get it out of the way. Well, you kind of have to if you intend to sell your home at a decent price. A good home cleanup will also leave you with more money in two ways: The movers will have less to carry, assuming they charge for weight. You can do a garage sale for things you no longer want or need. 6. Spring is the Ideal Time to Sell Your Home Since most people are bent on moving during summer, they need to have a new home to go to. During spring, there are a lot of home buyers looking to find their new beginning, too! The housing market is not like most. When the demand for houses is high, the costs go up — not down! Additionally, you get a wider pick of who you’re going to leave your old home to. Statistics show that this year is especially promising for house selling, with a record 2% increase in sales from December to January following consistent growth in sales over the past few months. Remember This When Moving During Spring There’s no way around it. Spring is a great time to move. But before you do that, remember that spring is allergy season. Keep these tips in mind: Check the pollen count in the air around your moving day. Avoid moving on windy days or take allergy pills if you do. Seal moving boxes well. Take eye drops to thwart pollen discomfort. The Relocate Stress Free team is all set to make your spring move as easy as possible. Give us a call or contact us today to get ready for your new beginning!