Blog Archives - Page 19 of 42

We all have a summer to-do list: Weed the garden, refinish the deck, deep-clean the patio furniture before your big Fourth of July party. But around this time of year, many of us also start putting together a very different type of checklist: the summer bucket list.

Filled with sun-centric activities that will ensure you have an enjoyable season, this bucket list often involves hobbies that can be done in the comfort of your own backyard.

Maybe you want to spend more time reading or cooking your way through an entire cookbook. Whatever your summer goals are, we have some ideas on outdoor decor that can help make them happen. Here are five trending outdoor looks from Instagram this week that will help you check off every item on your summer bucket list.

1. Back porch bistro

For those who love to cook or have ambitious summer cooking plans—you’re going to want a place where you can enjoy those meals. Enter: this back porch bistro look from @homewithrue.

“An outdoor patio with a bistro table sets the stage for long, leisurely conversations and laughter-filled evenings,” says designer Robin DeCapua, of Madison Modern Home. “Invite your friends to cook with you—you’ll need the extra helping hands if you want to tackle that whole cookbook!”

Get the look: Create your perfect back porch bistro with this outdoor bistro set.

2. Patio potting bench

Every great gardener needs a potting bench to organize plants and prepare seeds. We’re particularly taken by this moody-colored potting bench seen in a post by @ohhomelygirl.

“This potting bench is a fantastic example of how to use your outdoor space to enhance your interests and pay attention to your bucket list,” says designer Dani Smith. “It’s perfect if you’re interested in gardening or even love to repot and propagate houseplants—it sets an intention and provides a casual-living aesthetic.”

Get the look: Give your green thumb an outlet this summer with this potting bench.

3. Garden reading nook

Looking for a quiet retreat where you can devour your growing pile of summer reads? Curate a reading nook like the one seen in this post from @cuckoolandcom.

“A comfy outdoor chair, adorned with plush cushions and a cozy throw, will invite you to curl up and dive into your literary adventure,” says DeCapua. “Set up a small table nearby to hold a refreshing glass of lemonade and a stack of books. With your summer garden reading nook, you can indulge in your love of reading while basking in the beauty of nature.”

Get the look: Get ready to have some of your best reading days of the season on this daybed.

4. Backyard fire pit

Need a place to gather around the fire with your brood? Check out this fire pit setup featured in a post from @outdoordesignerstore.

“What I especially love about this gathering area is that it’s the perfect foundation for entertaining,” says Smith. “Just fire up the pit and surround it with cushions, blankets, a lantern or two, a tray with drinks—you can’t go wrong.”

Get the look: Design your perfect summer gathering spot by combining this fire pit with a few of these floor pillows.

5. Poolside Tiki bar

If learning how to shake up some new craft cocktails is on your summer bucket list, you probably want to have a spot to show off your skills.

This poolside Tiki bar, seen in a post from @fincadelicaibiza, is a luxurious version of something you can achieve in your backyard.

“Refreshing drinks, good vibes, and lots of fun—cheers to the perfect poolside Tiki bar,” says DeCapua.

Get the look: Go all in with a thatched-roof Tiki bar or keep it classic with this wooden bar table.

So with the hot months approaching, it’s time to install a sprinkler system—or do some maintenance on your existing one—to ensure your lawn and garden gets all the H20 it needs.

To brush up on the particulars of sprinkler installation and maintenance, read on.

The best time to install a sprinkler system

Photo by Circle D Construction

The best time to install a sprinkler system in your yard depends on your location and climate. But generally, you should put in sprinklers before or after the growing season so flora is not destroyed and there is time for it to grow back nicely, advises David Steckel, an expert from Thumbtack.

“Spring or fall is recommended, or during any sort of major landscaping project,” says Steckel.

The only time you shouldn’t install sprinklers is when the ground is frozen. In cold parts of the country, your sprinkler specialist will want to wait until after things have thawed to make any changes to your irrigation system.

Consult an irrigation professional for sprinkler problems

Some of the most common sprinkler issues include reduced water pressure, inadequate water coverage, timer or wiring issues, and leaks, says DJ Olhausen, a real estate agent with Realty ONE Group Pacific.

These issues can cost you “thousands of dollars in repairs” if they aren’t caught early on, Olhausen says.

But don’t try to diagnose these problems yourself—leave sprinkler system maintenance to the experts.

“Irrigation professionals have the right equipment and know-how to properly repair or install a sprinkler system,” says Dave Holmes, service training manager for The Grounds Guys, a Neighborly company. “We have found that those who install their own irrigation systems often experience stress and concern regarding their systems following the installation.”

Irrigation experts are not just putting pipe in the ground, Holmes explains. They are evaluating your landscape’s plants and grass and providing answers and solutions to what they need.

How to choose the right sprinkler system for you

Photo by Margie Grace

There are a number of ways to get water to your lawn or garden, including sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, and surface irrigation. That’s why choosing the correct system for your yard is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Olhausen tells homeowners to take into consideration the type of climate you’re in, what spray patterns are most ideal for your landscape, what kind of soil your lawn consists of, what your overall budget is, and how your water pressure performs.

You should also think about whether you want an in-ground or above-ground system, and an automatic or manual system.

To the average homeowner, the answers to these questions aren’t obvious. That’s why it’s wise to consult with a professional irrigation company before choosing a sprinkler system.

Sprinkler system costs

Whether you’re installing a sprinkler system for the first time or repairing part of your current sprinkler system, costs vary based on your location and the type of system you have.

The average cost to install a sprinkler system can range from $90 to $800, with more expensive systems costing $1,320 to $5,650, according to Thumbtack. Then, you have to factor in the cost of the actual system.

In-ground sprinkler systems will run about $2,500 to $3,500 for a quarter-acre lot. Drip irrigation systems that are used to deliver water to the plants’ roots and stems cost $1,800 to $2,500 per acre.

Sprinkler repairs, on the other hand, can cost $91 to $300, plus labor.

“In order to save money on future maintenance and repairs, it is important to clean your sprinkler heads and valve to remove dirt, grime, and other residues,” says Steckel. “Also, keep tabs on the water pressure to prevent leaks and check wiring, which may deteriorate due to normal wear and tear.”

1. Back porch bistro

2. Patio potting bench

3. Garden reading nook

4. Backyard fire pit

5. Poolside Tiki bar

Some Highlights

Best Memorial Day Weekend Things To Do in Los Angeles

Memorial Day Weekend Observances in Los Angeles

Fun things to do in Santa Barbara

1. Old Mission Santa Barbara

2. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

3. Inspiration Point

4. Santa Barbara Museum of Art

5. Stearns Wharf

6. Santa Barbara County Courthouse

7. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

8. Lotusland

9. Santa Barbara Zoo

10. Trolley tours

The best time to install a sprinkler system

Consult an irrigation professional for sprinkler problems

How to choose the right sprinkler system for you

Sprinkler system costs

1. THROW AWAY CATCH-ALL PAPER STORAGE

2. GET RID OF INEXPENSIVE REPAIR ITEMS

3. PUT ALL THAT UNNECESSARY MAIL IN THE TRASH

4. REMOVE ANY OUT OF DATE FOOD

5. BIN CLOTHES LEFT BEHIND FROM AN EX

6. BREAK DOWN AND BIN PACKAGING AND BOXES

7. YOU DON’T NEED THOSE TOILETRY SAMPLES

8. SAY GOODBYE TO THOSE “SOMEDAY” ITEMS

Protect Your Identity When Buying a Home

Selling a Smart Home: What Stays and What Goes?

Pros and Cons of Paying Cash for a Home

Stylish Home Tech: Where Function Meets Fashion

Get Ahead of Repairs Before Selling

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