As winter wanes and the first signs of spring emerge, it's the perfect time to start thinking about your garden. Late winter offers an ideal opportunity for planting trees and shrubs, setting the stage for a lush landscape. Louie's Ace Home Center is here to guide you through this process with practical tips and expert advice.
Late winter, just before the spring thaw, is a prime time for gardeners to plant. This season is particularly suitable for dormant bare-root plants like roses and fruit trees. They establish roots in cooler temperatures and burst into life as the weather warms. However, it's crucial to be selective with species; evergreens, for instance, may struggle to establish roots in winter's tail end. Prioritize species that thrive in your region's climate for the best results.
Proper soil preparation is key. Ensure your soil is well-aerated and well-drained before planting. While it might be tempting, avoid over-amending the soil. A moderate amount of compost and bone meal can enrich the soil without overwhelming your new plants. When digging the planting hole, keep it no deeper than the root ball and twice as wide. This provides ample space for roots to grow without being constricted.
When planting, gently place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the ground. For compacted soil, loosening it can facilitate better root growth. Be mindful not to plant too deep, as this can stress the plant and hinder its growth. Remember, the initial care you take in planting can dictate the future health of your trees and shrubs.
After planting, regular watering is essential, especially when the soil below the mulch and in the root ball feels dry. Mulching can help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. However, be cautious not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot and other issues. Consistent care in these early stages will pay off with robust growth in the spring and summer months.
As you plan your late winter planting, remember that a little preparation goes a long way. Visit Louie's Ace Home Center for all your gardening needs, from quality soil and mulch to a wide selection of trees and shrubs suitable for your area. Embrace this season of renewal and transform your garden into a vibrant, flourishing space.
As we are all preparing for the cold by putting away our summer clothes and pulling out our winter clothes, we also need to start preparing our homes for the changing weather. Before it gets too cold, it’s a good idea to do some seasonal maintenance on your home. Performing a few simple maintenance tasks can save you from costly repairs later on. Here are some tips on how to prepare your home for fall and winter:
Nobody wants a leaky roof when the rain comes. At the very least, make sure to do a visual inspection of your roof from the ground. Look for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and be sure to replace or repair them. If you can, get a better look at the roof by climbing up there and inspect every shingle. Also, if you have a flat roof, remove any debris to prevent blockage of drains and other damage. You should also check your chimney and fireplace to ensure that they are ready to be used. It is best to hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney.
It is very important to clean out the gutters before it starts raining. You can hire a company to do this or do it yourself. Either way, leaves, nests, and any debris needs to be removed. In addition, you should check for leaks in the gutters and repair them.
Preparing your irrigation system early can save you from disaster later. You should drain and check the system prior to the cold season. If you live in a place that gets snow, be sure to mark your sprinkler heads so snow removal equipment doesn’t run them over. It is also wise to bring any hoses inside so they are protected from the cold.
There are many precautionary steps you can take to protect your landscaping from the winter. First, inspect your trees to ensure that they are healthy for the cold weather. You don’t want any tree limbs to fall on your home, car, or power lines. Also, trim back any bushes, shrubs, and flowers as recommended in your climate zone. If you have any plants in flower pots, bring them inside to protect them. It is also very important to fertilize your lawn to prevent damage from the cold and weeds in the spring.
If you have any lawn chairs or other seasonal furniture, it is best to bring those things inside your garage or shed. Remove the cushions and wash them, so they are ready to go. And wipe down the furniture and store it in a dry place.
Looking for drafts in your home can help you stay warm and save energy this cold season. Check all of your doors and windows by feeling for drafts. If you feel any air coming in, you may need to replace the seals or repair caulking. A great way to check for drafts is to hold a lighted candle near the crack and if the flame flickers, there is probably a draft.
No matter what kind of air conditioning system you have, you should prepare it for winter. If you have an outdoor unit, it is best to cover it. Covering the unit protects it from the cold and prevents any water from entering the unit. If you have a window unit, bring it inside so that you can close the window for the fall and winter.
Prior to firing up your heating system, perform an inspection or hire a professional to do so. Test for leaks, check the heating efficiency and replace the filters. In addition, it is a good idea to check out all of the vents in your home. Make sure all of the vents aren’t blocked by anything and are free of dust.
Be sure to perform an inspection of all of your home safety devices. Replace the batteries in all of the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors and make sure they are working properly. If you do not already have a carbon monoxide device, I would recommend getting one for your home.
Here at Louie’s ACE Home Center, we know how to prepare your home for fall and winter. Come on by to pick up anything you may need to get your home ready or to ask any questions you may have. Did you know about our Fallon, NV Hardware Store? This is where you can rent quality tools, parts, and other hardware for short term use, and purchase the tools and hardware you need from quality national brands you know and trust. While hardware is our speciality, we also offer party rentals and key duplication services! We also offer a variety of hardware services and support to help you with your next home improvement project.
We are happy to help and here to serve you, so contact us today!
Winter home maintenance plays a very important role in the protection of your home. With the cold weather that winter brings, comes harsh conditions that can be tough on your house. One of the most difficult things to deal with during the cold months of the year are frozen pipes. Here is a brief guide for protecting your home from the detrimental damages that come from frozen pipes.
The most effective way to prevent your pipes from freezing is to wrap them with foam insulation. It is a good idea to wrap all of the pipes in your home to ensure protection. However, the most important pipes are those that are 6 inches or less from outside walls or are run through areas of the house that are not heated. Make sure that the insulation is wrapped tightly around the pipes to keep out the cold. Also, ensure that the joints are wrapped and taped to ensure protection.
If your pipes freeze, you need to try to thaw them as soon as possible. While it is important to unfreeze them quickly, you need to be strategic so the pipes don’t burst. Thawing an area of the pipe too quickly can cause it to burst.
The first step is to open the taps to the frozen lines and turn up the heat in your house. If the pipe is in a room that is not heated, a space heater can be very useful. Then, you will want to start thawing the pipe in sections, starting closest to the faucet. A blow dryer can be the perfect tool for this, it’s just enough heat to thaw the pipe and not too much.
Shut off the water to your house immediately. If you don’t know where it’s at, I would recommend that you go find it now. Generally, the main water valve is located near a water meter. This is the main source of water into your home and if it is shut off quickly, the damages from a burst pipe will be minimized.
Louie’s ACE always has a stock of winter home maintenance supplies and experts to answer your questions. Protect your home this winter and give us a call!
Being a homeowner is a job in itself. Homes require regular maintenance in order to properly function and provide the protection you need. Luckily, keeping a routine of regular maintenance can help ease the workload throughout the year. Here’s our helpful home maintenance checklist to help ensure you don’t miss a thing.
These are home improvements that can be done at any time of the year and should be done regularly to ensure they remain functioning properly. Be sure to check these things between every month and every few months.
Fall is a great time to take on general home maintenance projects because of the moderate temperatures and dry weather. Start your home maintenance checklist by first inspecting the interior and exterior of your home, then, get started. Here are some things you can do to help prepare your home for the colder weather:
It’s important that you adequately prepare for the winter season. The last thing you want happening is a burst pipe or a heating unit that doesn’t work properly. Here’s a list of things you’ll want to check before the cold weather takes over:
This is the perfect time to get your home back to looking its best. Hopefully by this time the weather has calmed down and you can get your home back in order. It’s time to welcome the warmer weather and prepare your home for the heat. Use this spring home maintenance checklist as a guide:
You want to do as much maintenance as you can before summer really hits so you can make the most out of the hot weather and long days. Most of the necessary home improvement projects for the summer season can be done in the spring. Here’s some things you can tackle in the summer:
Louie's Ace Hardware has all the tools you'll need to complete any home improvement project you want to tackle. Our highly knowledgeable staff are happy to help you find the best tool to use in your DIY project, and can help guide you in the right direction to a successful home improvement job. Connect with us today, or view our products list!
