How To Celebrate Arbor Day at Home

Arbor Day, which means “tree” day translated from the Latin word for tree, arbor, is a national holiday that celebrates the maintenance, planting, and preservation of all trees. In 1872 in Nebraska, Arbor Day began when a journalist named Julius Sterling Morton led an initiative where approximately 1 million trees were planted by himself and others volunteering. Their newly started tradition then spread, and this holiday is still celebrated by many today!

If you’re looking to celebrate Arbor Day this year, here are a few things you can do at home: 

Get Planting

Get out in your yard and get to work! Planting a tree will require you to get your hands a bit dirty, but the results will be amazing:

  1. First, decide which tree is suitable for your property. You’ll want to consider how it will grow and look over time, how much care, sun, and water it needs to thrive, and which trees work best in your climate.
  2. Next, you’ll want to find the perfect spot for planting where there is enough room for it to grow.
  3. Lastly, prepare your soil, plant your tree in the ground, and water it.

Tend The Trees On Your Property

Give the existing trees that are a part of your home’s landscape some love! Go outside and give them a good watering, clean up any dead leaves or branches, trim any wild and unwanted branches, or add mulch to the soil to control weeds and maintain moisture. Now your trees can continue to grow happily and healthily.

Visit a Local Park and Clean Up

Take a trip to a park nearby your home. Grab some garbage or recycling bags and clean up! Litter can harm the environment, including the trees and the animals that call those trees home. This simple task makes a difference and will make the park a more enjoyable place to play and admire nature for everyone.

Support Organizations That Plant and Protect Trees

Another way to celebrate Arbor Day is to support a charity that works to plant or protect trees! A quick donation of any amount can help make a difference. You can also research stores and companies that donate money to these organizations or plant trees when you make a purchase.

Enjoy and Appreciate Nature

Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the nature around your home. Breathe in some fresh air and marvel at the beautiful trees on your property. Have a happy Arbor Day!

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Tips To Prepare Your Roof And Gutters For Spring Weather

Don’t forget about your roof and gutters as you’re doing your spring maintenance! Both these systems play a crucial role in the safety of your home and everyone that’s in it. So, it’s important to be sure there are no damages or issues that could cost further problems. 

Be sure to seek professional help with inspections and fixes to be certain everything is working correctly.

Here’s what you need to do to ensure your roofing and gutter system are ready for the warm weather season:

Remove Any Debris

The first step to getting your roof ready during the spring is to remove any foreign object and debris. This can include sticks, branches, leaves, and more. These items can cause holes, damaged shingles, and clogged gutters that could leave you with costly repairs.  

Inspect Your Attic

Take some time to look in your attic and crawl space the best you can for any signs of holes, including drafts, daylight intrusion, or leaks. Mold growth is also a sign of a leak or opening, which can cause health problems for anyone in your home, so be sure to check frequently.

Check Your Roof For Damages

It’s essential to be aware of any damage caused to your roof during the winter season. To be sure everything is safe, have a professional inspect your roof for any missing or damaged shingles or tiles, any holes, shingle buckling, or any other issues. They’ll also be able to tell you the right course of action to have any damages repaired or if there is a risk for future issues.

Clean Your Gutters

Your gutters need to be cleaned! They likely have leaves, twigs, or even animal nests creating clogs in the system that can cause damage to your home. Have a professional take a look and clean the entire gutter system to ensure the job is done correctly.

Fix Any Problems

If you notice any problems or damages, you must have them fixed as soon as possible. Call a team of professionals to fix any issues with your roofing and gutter system, so you don’t have to worry during the spring and summer seasons.

ROOF AND GUTTER MAINTENANCE IN FAIRFIELD, CT

If you’re looking to have your roof fixed or redone or your gutters replaced or cleaned, we’ve got you covered! The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your home’s roofing, and gutter systems both look great and are functioning properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

Spring Yard Cleanup Checklist

Spring is in full swing! How does your lawn look? If you’re like most people, you’re noticing some dead areas, little green color, and grass that needs some serious TLC. When you’re doing your spring cleaning, don’t forget to add yard maintenance to your list so that it can be happy and healthy all summer long.

Take a look at some tips to help you with your yard cleanup:

Grab Your Rake

You’ll want to start by clearing up all the debris that has been left behind from the cold weather months. You might find dead leaves, dead grass, pinecones, sticks, and more. Clear it all out so you can start fresh with a clean yard, and don’t forget to go in your gardens to clean up around your plants and shrubs as well

Perennials and Grasses

Grab those pruning shears and get to work! Ideally, you want to prune flowering perennials to be a high of about 4 inches, and ornamental grasses should be pruned to about 2 inches so they can grow and thrive for the season. Dig up any perennials that are damaged and where the soil has thawed or where there is overcrowding. 

Lawn Care

It’s time to give your lawn some attention. Prepare for seeding by raking up any dead areas and testing the soil’s pH levels to fix any issues. Gather your seed, fertilizer, and compost to prepare for new, healthy grass growth. With plenty of water and care, your lawn will look green, healthy, and bountiful before you know it!

Don’t Forget Your Trees And Shrubs

The cold, windy, and snowy weather may have hurt some of your trees and shrubs, so begin your care by pruning any dead or damaged branches off. You’ll also want to use your shears to help shape any hedges to get a more consistent and even growth as the season continues.

Give Your Other Yard Elements a Lookover

Check your pathways and patios for cracks, damages, and debris that needs to be cleaned up or fixed. Grab your pressure washer and give those surfaces a shiny clean that will have your neighbors impressed all season long. As well, check out your fences and ensure they are sturdy and don’t need any repairs.

EXTERIOR HOME MAINTENANCE IN FAIRFIELD, CT

Does your roof need some repairs done? We’ve got you covered! The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your roof both looks great and is functioning properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more. 

Beginner Gardening Tips

Are you looking to enjoy the outdoors more this summer? Gardening might be the perfect activity for you, and now is the time to start! Gardening can be a relaxing, enjoyable activity for you to get more sunlight and fresh air in the warm weather season. Gardens, whether you’re growing flowers, fruits, or vegetables, your garden will look beautiful on your property and is sure to put a smile on your face.

If you’re a beginner to gardening, these few tips should help you get started: 

Pick The Right Site

The first, most important part of starting a garden is finding the optimal location. Start in an area of your yard that you’ll be able to see easily from inside; that way, you keep an eye on it, and you’re more likely to tend to it regularly. As well, your plants need sunlight and water, and lots of it! Be sure your garden is put in an area that gets lots of sun time and is near a convenient water source.

Don’t Be Afraid To Use Containers or Raised Garden Beds

If you don’t have much space to work with or have impossibly rocky soil making up your ground, you can utilize raised garden beds or containers to home your plants, so you don’t have to worry about these issues and place your garden where it’s best.

Invest In Good Soil

One of the best ways to ensure a thriving garden is to use both nutrient-rich and well-drained soil. Speak with your local garden shop or do some research about which brands of soil are optimal.

Think About Your Climate

Not all plants, fruits, and vegetables grow best under the same circumstances. Some actually prefer colder temperatures, while others love the heat. Think about what you’re looking to grow before you go shopping and check which are ideal for the current weather conditions.  

Seeds or Plants

You’ll want to think about and decide if you wish to plant seeds, which will take a bit more work and more care, while you can replant already growing flowers, fruits, or vegetables. This decision may change your work amounts, your time, and what you want to plant. 

Don’t Forget Mulch

Be sure to apply a layer of mulch around each of your plants 2 to 3 inches deep to help reduce weed growth and hold in moisture. 

EXTERIOR HOME MAINTENANCE IN FAIRFIELD, CT

Does your roof need some repairs done? We’ve got you covered! The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your roof both looks great and is functioning properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.