Lakeshore Advance, 2013-05-01, Page 22Wednesda , Ma 1, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 21
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Zero -maintenance gardens are imaginary Bring 111e Indoors outside to create a family hub
News Canada
(NC) --Over the last decade, the idea of
a zero -maintenance garden has become
the holy grail of outdoor spaces.
Imagine, a yard that always looks amaz-
ing and requires no effort on the par( of
the homeowner - a personal utopia that
remains exactly as you left it. But don't
hold your breath. Most experts agree there
is no such thing as a zero -maintenance
r iarden.
The best we can achieve is less mainte-
nance. Every single thing you put in your
outdoor space requires effort, Even dirt
requires work. Making your life easier is all
about making the hest choices for you and
your space.
I laugh out loud when clients ask nue for
a nice big lawn as part of their easy -to -
care -for backyard. In my experience, there
is nothing more time consuming or labour
intensive than grass. We have this miscon-
ception that a lawn should look like the
pictures on the fertilizer hag and people
spend all summer trying to make It hap-
pen. My neighbour Jim has the hest grass
I've ever seen. I decided to truck the
amount offline he spent In one week mak-
ing it mfect. With weeding, watering, cut-
ting, edging, trimming, and fertilizing, Jinn
spent almost 20 hours working on his
lawn...and I didn't see him actually enjoy •
Ing it. Personally, that's not how 1 want to
fill niy weekends. As a designer however; I
know that filling a large backyard with u
grass -less creation Is expensive. I'd also b1'
fighting a tradition that has been a port of
the North American home for longer than
I've been alive,
So instead of doing away with the lawn,
maybe the better answer is to redefine It.
The marketplace is now full of options that
are alternates to our custonuuy Kentucky
Blue grass seed. Some people have opted
Food For
Thought!
Along with
eating right,
daily
activity
is one
of the
best ways
at' reducing
the risk of
cardiovascular
disease.
Sharing A
Healthier
Future'
lOlepwavollat
•
for clover lawns; others have gone with
mixes that utilize native fescue seeds. (loth
are definitely less maintenance than what
the are used to, but they both still require
some effort, 'lit help with this, technology
Is also changing through the Introduction
of new buttery -operated tools that are easy
to 1151' and easy to carr for.
The Black & I)1'cker 1 1 -inch a(iV Self -
Propelled (:o Bless Mower (SP(:M 1 Y30) is
my new favourite outdoor toy. Not only
can 1 adjust the mowing speed to my per-
sonal pace, its one- touch height adjust-
ment allows me to choose my desired
gross height all with the pull of a single
lever. nutting grass has never been so easy
Maybe the key to discovering the zero -
maintenance garden isn't trying to get rid
of all the things that require work, the key
is to stake the work more enjoyable
because then it isn't really a chore any-
more! Like I've always said, "When the
tools becomes toys, the job becomes a
hobby!" One day we could all enjoy the
yard work so much that we actually con
skier It a► pleasure!
Maybe I'll file this idea right beside my
photo of the yeti.
14'11'14' 1lele.' ((4nada corn
News Canada
(NC)—When renovating a home, people often
forget one of the most important components: the
outdoor space. If done right, your yard can
become more than an extension of your home.
It is important to keep the climate In mind
when choosing your outdoor furniture. For
example, if you live In a windy area, select heavier
furniture as lighter plastic chairs are likely to turn
up on your neighbour's lawn. If you experience
heavy, regular rainfall, try to stay away from
materials like wrought Iron that may rust. And to
lengthen the life of your outdoor pieces, make
sure to store your patio furniture when weather
isn't in your favour.
Set the mood
Like any room in your house, lighting is key
when it comes to the outdoors. Solar powered
lights are a great option and help save on energy
bills. Installation is easy as there is no wiring or
plugs to worry about. With many sizes and styles
to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect
one to brighten up your outdoor space.
Create a space with a purpose
Do you want to use your space to host parties,
relax, or give your children somewhere they can
play? How you plan on using the space will
determine what type of furniture you need. And
with outdoor furniture, you can get creative:
chairs can be replaced with recliners, swings,
loungers, or even hammocks. Decorative accents
are also essential. 'Throw a few colourful pillows
on your outdoor furniture or put an outdoor area
rug under your patio set. As long as fashion meets
function, anything goes.
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