Curbing Costs of Curb Appeal

A beautiful lawn is fairly easy and inexpensive to maintain, and putting in WaterWise plants will cut your watering work and costs.

The Grass Is Always Greener

Harsh weather, drought, pets, pests, and diseases can turn a lovely lawn into a patchwork of bald spots, but getting back on the growth curve is easy. First, have your soil tested to find out which fertilizers or amendments will best promote healthier turf. Add whatever is needed, preferably in liquid form for quicker uptake. After a couple of weeks, mow the lawn shorter than usual, then give it a hard raking to remove debris and as much thatch as possible. Overly compacted soil should be aerated. Make sure the seed you choose is right for your climate and the amount of sunlight your lawn receives. Use a seed spreader at the recommended setting and then cover the seed with soil or a layer of straw. Keep the ground moist with regular watering, and when the new grass comes up apply a starter fertilizer. Soon, what was bare will be beautiful.

A Low-Water Landscape

Water has become an increasingly costly and, in some places, scarce commodity. Droughts are on the rise, and climate change may make matters worse. But that doesn’t mean you can’t put in flowers, ground cover varieties, and other plants that make garden beds beautiful. WaterWise-certified plants, available at Lowe’s, offer all the color and texture you could want but require much less water, saving you time and money. Dozens of types are available, from angelonias to zinnias, and there are varieties for every climate. Besides choosing water-conserving plants, you can also reduce water use by working organic matter—such as compost and chopped leaves—into the soil to boost its ability to retain moisture. Spreading mulch on top of the soil slows evaporation, and use of drip irrigation and other efficient methods to deliver water to plants can make a big dent in water use.

The Grass Is Always Greener

A Low-Water Landscape

Cost: starting at $225	Aerate, seed, and fertilize, a 70’ x 100’ lawn twice a year
DIY Savings: Up to $150/yr

Cost: starting at $800	Planting and mulching a 25’ x 35’ flowerbed twice a year
DIY Savings: Up to $400/yr

Maintain

Mow It Yourself

It’s nice having someone else cut the grass, rake the leaves, and do all the other chores that keep your lawn looking good, but costs can add up over the course of the season. And think of all the exercise you’ll get in addition to the savings if you opt to do the upkeep. A new push mower can cost as little as $179, a onetime expense that will quickly pay for itself when you do the work. If you choose a riding mower you can add work- and expense-savers such as a leaf vacuum, a seed and fertilizer spreader, an aerator, or a dethatcher. If you already own a mower, go to Lowe’s for any maintenance, or replacement parts you may need. And don’t forget other yard-care gear that also saves: Take home a hedge trimmer, blower, or edger and put them to work.

Time to Clean House

Houses get dirty; there’s no avoiding the accumulation of dust, soot, pollen, splashed mud, and other insults to siding, windows, shingles, decks, patios, walkways, and driveways. But if you want to get back to clean, you can start with the same equipment the professionals use: a pressure washer. Powered by an electric motor or a gas engine, it’s an effective cleaning tool that, with a little practice, you can easily use. A medium-duty unit that sprays water at 2,000 PSI (pounds per square inch) to 3,000 PSI will be good for most jobs around the house. If you plan to strip paint, get a heavy-duty unit rated above 3,000 PSI. A machine that allows the use of detergents and degreasers will be more useful. Whatever you buy, with just one or two uses it will pay for itself in savings.

Mow It Yourself

Time to Clean House

Cost: starting at $350	Annual mowing and maintenance of a 70’ x 100’ yard using a push mower
DIY Savings: Up to $1,100/yr

Cost: starting at $225	Pressure washing the full exterior of a 1,800 sq. ft. house twice a year
DIY Savings: Up to $350/yr

Fun in Your Own Backyard

There is nothing like the great outdoors. Here’s how to equip your deck or patio for cooking, dining, and good old lounging, so staying home will be just as enjoyable as stepping out.

Now You’re Cooking

Taking family and friends to your favorite eatery is undeniably fun, at least until the check arrives. But there’s an easy cure: Explore your yen for fine food by doing your own cooking out on the patio or deck. Today’s gas, charcoal, and electric grills open up all sorts of cooking possibilities, from quick grilling to slow roasting. Whether the menu calls for meat, poultry, fish, or vegetables, good equipment will help you turn any recipe into a successful meal. Lowe’s stocks many types of cookers plus all the tools and accessories you need. And you can get even deeper into outdoor cooking with smokers and rotisseries from Lowe’s; they’ll make delicious food and make you king of the grill.

A Family Friendly Place

When the outdoor cooking is good, the outdoor living should be easy, with comfortable, durable seating and tables for dining and general downtime. Patio and deck furniture should be made to resist its chief enemy, water, with metal that won’t rust and wood that won’t rot. Fabrics should be UV-resistant. And for evenings outdoors, effective and good-looking lighting is essential. Outdoor lighting is available in a wide range of styles, for installation just about anywhere you need it—on walls and walkways, on or around a deck or patio, even in garden beds. Most are ready for do-ityourself installation; some types are solar-powered and don’t need any wiring. Everything from furniture to lighting is available at Lowe’s, so it’s easy to gear up to enjoy the great outdoors— right at home.

Now You’re Cooking

A Family Friendly Place

Cost: starting at $1,850 for food and equipment	Annual cost of one meal per week for a family of four
Diy Savings: Up to $1,200/yr

Cost: starting at $120	Purchase and setup of 30 outdoor lights
Diy Savings: Up to $300

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Curbing Costs of Curb Appeal

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Fun in Your Own Backyard

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