A deck can add beauty and value to your home and make your yard more enjoyable. If you want to build your own deck, there are many things to consider, such as the deck material cost, the size of your deck, and if you plan to build it yourself or hire someone else to do it.

Who Will Build It?

Many people choose to build their own decks because it is cheaper. If you have the time and skills to do this, building your own deck may be the best option for you. If you do not know how to build a deck or do not have time to do it, it may be wise to hire a contractor. The contractor will give you an estimate of how long it will take and how much it will cost to complete the deck you want.

Deck Size

Measure the area of the space where you plan to build your deck. This will tell you how much material you need and help you determine the cost to build your deck as well as the amount of time it will take.

Deck Material Cost

Whether you decide to build your deck yourself or hire someone else to do it, you still need to figure in the deck material cost. This includes posts, boards for the frame, deck boards, and nails or screws. You can visit your local home improvement store to get an accurate estimate of these costs. Deck boards usually range between $1 and $3 each, posts cost around $5, and nails and screws are sold by the box and can cost anywhere between $5 and $20, depending on the type you plan to use.

A Costly Endeavor

There are many reasons to build a deck onto your home. Be aware, building a deck can be a major investment and can take a lot of time. Consider all of the above factors before you start building. If you are not skilled in such a task and want to make sure it’s done right the first time, you might want to find a local professional to help you. When that is the case, TalkLocal should be your first stop. We’ll not only find the right professional for you, but we’ll connect you with them directly, too!

If you, like most people, are concerned with finding out how to stay cool in the summer heat, you’ll want to think about landscaping.

The arrangement of grasses, trees, other plants, and accoutrements in your front and back yards can make a tremendous difference in your heating bill and your comfort level. Landscaping is a beautiful and natural way to keep the heat off without turning the air conditioning on.

There are plenty of cooling landscaping options that are low-maintenance and affordable on most any budget. Let’s take a look at some.

Carefully placed deciduous trees can substantially lower home temperatures, reducing energy use by up to 25 percent annually. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter, so snow won’t pile up on them, risking water damage when it melts. Placement is important. Trees should be planted on the south and west side of the house.

Climbing vines reduce external home temperatures and provide a cooling barrier between exterior walls and the hot air outside. Hang a trellis to encourage vines to climb and check them occasionally to ensure they aren’t finding their way into the walls and foundation.

Smaller trees or tall shrubs should be planted close to the house to shade doorways and windows. Shade lowers temperature while trees help regulate moisture in the air.

Speaking of shade, gazebos or roll-out awnings can provide shade and comfort to any area you desire. Some gazebos also offer netting to keep bugs out. Roll-out awnings are versatile and can be opened or closed as needed. Used properly, an awning should last for many seasons.

Remember that groups of trees offer greater cooling benefits than the same number of trees spread across a large area. Shading roofs, windows, doors, and window air-conditioning units also add up to big savings on energy bills and helps solve the problem on how to stay cool in the summer heat.

Consult A Professional Landscaper

If you would like to install plants, trees, or other additions to your landscape in order to cool your home, you may want to seek professional help. With TalkLocal, all you need to do is offer us a little bit of information, and we get you on the phone with someone who can help.

If you want to keep your yard looking nice and pest-free, you need to mow it often. A push mower is an affordable tool that allows you to mow your yard within a reasonable amount of time. If you are planning to buy a mower, you may be wondering how you can gauge the cost of a push mower. Price can vary depending on brand, features, and size. Here are some tips for finding the cost of a push mower.

Research Online

You can find out how much push mowers are selling for without even leaving your home. Simply do some research online with your favorite search engine and look for the average cost of a push mower. You can even visit store websites to see what mowers they have available online or in stock at the store closest to you. This will give you an idea of what to expect when you are ready to go shopping.

Compare Prices

If you know the brand or type of mower you want, don’t just buy the first one you find. Some stores may offer better deals than others on the very same products. Shop around online and store to store until you find the best price on the lawn mower you want. Some stores will price match others, so keep this in mind as you shop.

Warranties and Repairs

Remember, in most cases you get what you pay for. You may find a cheap push mower, but if it does not come with a warranty or free repairs within the first few months, you may not be getting as good of a deal as you think. Mowers work hard, and there are many things that can go wrong. In most cases it is worth the money to pay a little more for a mower which comes with a warranty.

Push mowers are not cheap tools, but they are necessary if you want to have a nice yard. Be smart when shopping for your next push mower and hopefully you can find one that is affordable and will last you for many years.

Need Help Mowing?

Whether you’re looking for someone to fix your broken mower or mow your lawn for you, TalkLocal is the answer. Through our website, you can connect almost instantly with local service professionals from virtually every industry. Give it a whirl!

Not only do they look beautiful, they sound beautiful, too. It’s no coincidence that birds singing and chirping represent a happy day in modern movies and television. Because of this, a lot of people have been building birdhouses in the hopes that these majestic little creatures will take up permanent residence in their yard, complementing gardens full of flowers. This leaves some asking — are birdhouses good for gardens and the environment? The answer is a resounding “yes”.

Why are birdhouses good for gardens and the environment?

Population: Since people started building more and producing more toxins in the atmosphere, the bird population has steadily declined. Removing the trees in which they live makes it harder for them to reproduce. Infecting the air they fly in with smoke and soot makes it hard for them to survive when they do reproduce. If a bird chooses to nest in a birdhouse, it’s a safe place where they can let their eggs hatch, so long as no one tears it down.

Pest Control: Since there are more birds located in your garden, there will be fewer bugs and pests in your garden, as well. Adult birds may either snack on these bugs or scare them away, helping your plants grow. Contrary to popular belief, most birds don’t actually eat earth worms, either. Since we know earthworms help our gardens, a lot of people worry that having birds around will hurt their gardens. That’s not the case.

Pollinating and Fertilizing: Birds help keep your plants pollinated and fertilized. Both of these processes are natural and will most likely happen without birds, but having birds in your garden will help speed them along.

Ask A Landscaper

In the end, you are not only helping the birds, but also the environment and your own garden by building birdhouses. Even if birds don’t choose to nest in your birdhouses, they still add aesthetic value and beautify your garden a bit more. If you have more questions about gardening, plants, or birds, TalkLocal can connect you with professionals in your area that can offer invaluable information.

Summer is in full effect around the United States, which is prime time for gathering around a fire for a cookout, to toast marshmallows or just to hang out. With the advent of both portable and built-in fire pits, having a fire in a suburban setting has never been easier.

Not only do outdoor fire pits serve a function, but they have transformed into decorator pieces and might be a welcomed addition to your landscape if employed tastefully.

If you are trying to gauge whether or not an outdoor fire pit might be right for your landscape, here are some outdoor fire pit designs that you can mull over.

Traditional fire rings: These are classic, round fire pits. They can be constructed out of a variety of materials, from bricks to rocks. The material is placed in a ring around the fire pit in order to contain the kindling. These can either be dug into the ground or raised above it. This is easily one of the most common outdoor fire pit designs.

Fire bowls: Think of a large, round planting bowl. Instead of a plant and soil inside, picture a fire. That’s what fire bowls are: a modern, chic take on fire pits. These are one of the trendy outdoor fire pit designs that go well in suburban settings.

Fire tables: With today’s technology, you can have a fire pit right on the dinner table. These are called fire tables, and they take small fire pits (in a variety of shapes and sizes) and incorporate them into a table. This way, you can enjoy the warmth of a fire and not have to be sitting next to a fire pit.

Gas/propane pits: If your fire is more for show and you do not want to mess with gathering wood and paper to start it, a gas or propane pit might be for you. While these come in a variety of styles, one thing remains the same — they are operated on gas or propane. This technology is often implemented both in fire bowls and fire tables. There is never any mess to clean up.

Find Help Installing A Fire Pit

If a fire pit is going to be a permanent part of your landscape, you might want to let the pros handle it. If you are looking for a landscaper in your area that can get the job done, you are in luck — TalkLocal can help.

When you submit an inquiry with TalkLocal, you can specify exactly what services you need. We will only connect you with people who can help. You will no longer have to waste your time talking to unqualified professionals again.

Having a patio can drastically affect the aesthetic value of your yard and home. A patio can be a beautiful place to sit with your family, enjoy some food from the grill, work while enjoying nature, or even hold a business meeting.

The many different types of patios all offer something for your home. Learning about them, and how to build them, can help you decide which type is right for you.

Some of the more popular of the different types of patios include:

Dry-Laid Patio: This is the easiest type of patio for an amateur to build. Building a dry-laid patio does not require much experience. The simple steps are to select your patio site, excavate it, build drainage for your patio, lay a sand bed and then lay the patio paving stones. You will want to use natural or cut stones for a dry-laid patio.

Mortaring A Patio: This is quite similar to building a dry-laid patio, but you will use mortar to seal the bricks or stones into place. You will follow the same preparation for a dry laid patio, but adding the mortar to seal the bricks insures that they will not sink or produce gaps over time.

Slab Patio: This type of patio is not exactly amateur-friendly, but it can support a lot more weight than a dry-laid or mortared patio. A construction crew must build a shape the size of the desired patio and then pour concrete into the shape. The concrete will have to be continuously smoothed, leveled or sloped (depending on the location) until it is completely dry.

Raised Patios: Although they are the most common, ground level patios are not the only types of patios out there. A patio can be raised from the ground by a few inches or even a few feet. You’ll have to begin with a retaining wall around the patio’s location to ensure that the patio does not fall apart piece by piece.

Find Someone To Help With Your Patio

Patios can add beauty and comfort to your home. If you are interested in more information about a patio, or if you have decided you want to build one of your own, TalkLocal can help you connect with the professionals in your area who can get your project up and running.

Mulch is a great way to protect the roots of plants and give your flowerbed or garden a neat and tidy appearance. There are many different types of mulch available, and each one has a different look and protects your plants in different ways. As spring creeps in, now might be the perfect time to mulch your lawn.

First, it is important to consider the benefits of each one before you decide which is the best type of mulch for your yard.

Rubber Mulch

Rubber mulch is durable and made from recycled tires and other rubber products. It does not break down in your garden over time and is not washed away easily with rain or snow. Because rubber mulch lasts a long time and stays looking like new, it is the popular choice for many gardeners. Rubber mulch can be expensive, though, so make sure the benefits outweigh the costs.

Wood Mulch

Wood mulch is the most common type of mulch used and can be purchased from most home improvement stores. It is affordable and comes in many different colors and types of wood. Wood mulch allows water to drain well around the plants so they get the amount that they need. It is durable but can also be moved or washed away with heavy rain.

Compost Mulch

Compost mulch may not be much to look at but it can make your plants healthy. Because it is free, many people believe compost mulch is the best type of mulch. You can make your own compost mulch out of grass, hay, and decomposing plant matter. As the compost decomposes, the nutrients in it are fed to the plants. Compost mulch doesn’t only protect the plants, it actually helps them grow bigger and stronger.

Need More Advice?

When trying to find the best type of mulch for your flowerbed, be sure to compare the different options. Any mulch will help protect your plants from the cold and harsh weather and, if you can find mulch that offers even more benefits, stick with it. Professional landscapers from your local area are always ready and willing to lend their knowledge. To connect with one, use TalkLocal. You will be talking on the phone with a qualified professional in a matter of minutes.

If you like seeing birds in your yard, you may want to set up a bird feeder to attract them. Bird feeders can be purchased from most home and garden stores, or you can make your own. Making your own bird feeder doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. Many homemade bird feeder materials can be found in your home or recycled from other items. Here are a few such items and how they can be used.

Soda Bottles, Milk Jugs, and Juice Cartons

Most people have one of these items in their refrigerator and are likely to just throw them away without thinking of how they can be repurposed. These items make a great container for your birdseed. Simply cut a hole into the side of them, fill them with seeds, string them up in a tree or to a post and you have a free bird feeder.

Pinecones

If you do not have pinecones in your yard, chances are you know where to find some. Pinecones are great homemade bird feeder materials because they are free and natural. Simply cover one or two pinecones with peanut butter and then roll them in a bowl of birdseed. The seeds will stick to the peanut butter and create a perfect feeder. Kids love to help make these homemade bird feeders because they are fun and simple to do.

Old Dishes

If you have a bowl or dish that is cracked or mismatched, don’t throw it away. Use it to make a bird feeder instead. Simply place the bowl or dish on a base such as a wooden post or hang it from a tree with yarn. Fill it with birdseed and watch as the birds flock to it. Dishes and bowls make great bird feeders because they are pretty to look at and are easy for birds to access.

Having a bird feeder in your home can bring you a lot of entertainment and happiness. Before you spend a lot of money on a bird feeder from a store, consider making your own with everyday items you already have at home.

Need Professional Help?

Whether you are looking for creative ways to incorporate bird feeders in your landscape, or simply need your lawn mowed, TalkLocal can put you in touch with the help you need. Follow the easy step-by-step process, and you will be talking with someone who can help in a matter of minutes.

If you are someone that takes pride in a beautiful, carefully-manicured lawn, then you probably already recognize crabgrass as public enemy No. 1. This common weed features especially flat, thin stems that are noticeably different from traditional grass. Crabgrass can infest your lawn, choking out the healthy grass you want.

Learning how to prevent crabgrass is paramount for maintaining a well-kept lawn. Here are some methods that will help you keep this pesky weed at bay.

Using Pre-Emergents

When you think of the word “annuals” you might automatically think of flowers. However, crabgrass is considered an annual plant as well, meaning that it does die off on its own every year. Use this time wisely and equip your long with crabgrass-fighting power.

Apply pre-emergent herbicides to your lawn in early spring. You might consider applying a second round of pre-emergent early in the summer as well, depending how bad of a crabgrass problem you have. Pre-emergent is available at any lawn care store.

A Healthy Lawn As A Weapon

Many people wondering how to prevent crabgrass do not know that it is as easy as fostering a thick, lush lawn. The more dense your lawn is, the less likely it is to allow crabgrass, which usually takes roots in bare spots on the lawn.

You should take all of the necessary steps to promote a healthy lawn, which includes fertilizing appropriately and adding new seed if the lawn gets thin. Also, make sure to water your lawn regularly.

Hand Weeding

Here is a simple answer for how to prevent crabgrass — when you see crabgrass, remove it immediately. This can be done by hand, as long as you remove the root with it. It is imperative to act quickly when you spot even a hint of crabgrass. This is a weed that reproduces at a very high rate, so the longer you ignore it, the worse the problem will be.

Enlist The Help Of Professional Landscapers

Any reputable landscaper knows exactly how to prevent crabgrass. If you need someone like this to help you transform your lawn, simply log on to TalkLocal and submit a request. We can instantly connect you with companies or professionals that offer the services you require.

Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy lawn full of thick grass that feels great underfoot. We buy the best fertilizers, water every week, and import the finest grass seeds from all over the world. But all this may come to nothing if the lawn is compacted from lawn equipment or excessive foot traffic. Compacted lawns inhibit water and oxygen from penetrating soil, which retards growth, causing bald patches or puddles in your beautiful yard. That’s why it’s valuable to be aware of the most effective ways to aerate your lawn.

First Thing’s First

The first step is to prepare your lawn for aeration by watering it two to three days before you begin. Depending on your climate, about one inch of water is best. How do you know how much is an inch? Try measuring it by placing a small container on your lawn — a tuna can is great for this. When it fills up an inch, voila! After your waiting period, you are ready to aerate. The various ways to aerate your lawn vary based on your equipment.

Motorized aerators are great for professional groundskeepers and are offered in gas or electric models. They get the job done quickly — at roughly the speed of a lawn mower — punching multiple steel spikes into the ground from a rotating cylinder. They are also expensive, heavy and take up more storage space than the average family garage can offer.

Manual aerators have several tines attached to a steel bar. They aerate by coring small sections of lawn. Pay close attention to the design and look for one that won’t clog or clump. Clogs will prove frustrating and time consuming. Manual aerating can be labor intensive, especially for large lawns. If this is an issue, look to a manual aerator with spiked attachments that can be worn on shoes. Aeration is then as easy as slowly and awkwardly marching across every inch of your lawn. It’ll be worth it when the grass comes in, though. Manual aerators vary greatly in price, materials, and design, so tread carefully.

Find Professionals To Aerate Your Lawn

In the end, knowing the ways to aerate your lawn is less important than getting out there and doing it. You may be amazed to see how much of a difference a little aeration can make in your yard this spring. Plenty of local landscapers can pull off this important task, too. At Seva Call, you can specify that you want to work with only landscapers that offer aeration. That way, you won’t waste your time talking to companies that can’t help you. Try our service today, for free!