48 Hours to Make Your Yard Awesome

October 12, 2012 6:30 AM Text Size: A . A . A

Prune the Shrubs

Total Time: 2 Hours

If you're Edward Scissorhands, feel free to follow your muse. If not, you'll want to thin the shrubs to make way for sunlight and air. Don't just trim the branch tips. That promotes a thicker cover, smothering the heart of the plant. Here are a few quick suggestions.

1. Remove dead and aging branches. Trim the ones that rub against each other.

2. Cut the limbs facing the house in a straight line. This allows fresh air and reflected light to reach the shrub's center.

3. Taper the sides to let the lower limbs catch some rays.

4. Round or slope the top to help the shrub shed snow.

5. Don't remove more than one-third of the plant. If it needs more pruning than that, spread the work out over a number of seasons.

Edge Lawn

Total Time: 3 Hours
Rental Equipment: Wheeled Lawn Edger ($60 to $100, including gas, per day)

Edging civilizes a yard, clearly marking off pathways and flower beds. Adjust the edger so the blade cuts about 1 to 1? inches deep. Consult the owner's manual for the optimal pace (feet per minute). Racing to the finish line simply produces ragged borders.

Clean Concrete

Total Time: 1 Hour
Equipment/Materials: Bon Ami Cleanser, Deck Brush ($25)

Where you see sidewalks and stairs, mildew sees a place to party. Put a stop to the festivities by spraying concrete with a garden hose, then sprinkling Bon Ami powder on the dampened area. Scrub with a deck brush that has a long handle. Rinse. Take a bow.

Paint Patio Furniture

Total Time: 2 1/2 Hours
Equipment/Materials: Scouring Pads, Spray Paint ($15 to $20)

Scrub with a household cleaner and a plastic pad such as Scotch-Brite. Rinse, dry. Use a Dremel tool and a wire brush to remove rust and flakes. Apply high-zinc-content primer to stop corrosion. Spray with enamel paint.

Wash Windows

Total Time: 1 1/2 Hours
Equipment/Materials: Squeegee, Microfiber Chamois, Pole-mounted Washer, Bucket, Bag of Rags ($50)

Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to a bucket of water. Wipe each pane in large circles with a chamois. Rinse and squeegee.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/outdoor-projects/48-hours-to-make-your-yard-awesome-13644280?src=rss

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