I’m kind of old school.  I’m of the belief that kids belong outside, playing on swings, running around and climbing trees.  I’m also a parent.  I know that playing on swings leads to seeing how high you can go then jumping off.  Running around leads to road rash when you take a header into the gravel.  Climbing trees leads to the opposite – falling out of the tree.

“But Paul” you despair, “is there a product out there that can reduce some of those risks for my children?”  Sure.  Abstinence.  That, however, seems a bit drastic.

Allow me to introduce you to rubber.  Wait, wait.  Let me rephrase that.  Allow me to introduce you to rubber mulch .

In short, rubber mulch is recycled tires.  The basic process to transform worn out all-seasons to enviro-friendly landscaping material is fairly straight forward.  Once a tire has worn out its usefulness, it is cryo-frozen and smashed into smaller uniform pieces, from 3/8” to ¾” in size.  These pieces are run through high powered magnets and metal detectors to remove the steel belting.  The pieces are then run through a colouring process that essentially bonds the colour right onto the rubber.  This special colouring process is what helps our rubber mulch keep its colour so well that it has a 10 year guarantee that it will hold 80% of its colour.  Does it cost more than traditional bark mulch?  Yes it does, but unlike bark, rubber mulch doesn't break down and need to be replaced.  Over 5

Now that you’ve made it through the boring part, here’s the important stuff.  Allow me to quote: “A softer surface than traditional wood mulch, impact studies have shown a significant reduction in contusion and head-related injuries, with an IPEMA ASTM F1292-09 Certification for fall heights up to 16 feet. Extensive testing by the EPA and certification by the IPEMAsupports rubber mulch as environmentally-friendly and safe for your kids and pets.”

Bottom line?  Rubber mulch is not only a great looking landscaping product, it is a safe landscaping product.  And as Miss Teen South Carolina once said, “gibberish, gibberish, gibberish, for the children”.  Words to live by, folks.  Words to live by.

Come on out and check out the different colours!  

Rock on!

Paul

So, you’ve decided to sell your house.  As your realtor is sure to tell you, curb appeal is a very important part of the selling process.  Not only does it provide a welcome first impression to your home, but studies have shown that a well landscaped yard can dramatically improve not only the sale price of your house, but the speed with which it sold.  Here are 6 different ways to help dress up your landscaping:

1 – Add some colour:    Annuals are a fairly inexpensive way to add some spice to a yard.  If you don’t have a lot of beds, use decorative pots and containers.  Make sure you weed them while you’re at it!

2 – Mulch your beds:    Adding a fresh layer of bark mulch or chips around trees, shrubs and in flower beds is a quick (and easy to shovel) way to freshen up your yard. 

3 – Trim & cut:    Trim back overgrown trees, shrubs and hedges.  Prune the dead branches on the trees, take the trimmer to the hedges, and clean out the leaves and debris from the base of the shrubs.

4 – Touch up your concrete:    If you have any retaining walls, make sure they are standing straight and level.  Replace any broken patio stones and sidewalk blocks.  If your patio has that sinking feeling, pull the bricks up, add some sand underneath and re-lay the bricks.  Make sure to fill the cracks with a fresh layer of sand.

5 – Clean up water features:    Clean leaves and debris out of ponds and waterfalls, make sure everything runs well.  Make sure you have fresh clean water in birdbaths and fountains.  Don’t forget to turn them on for your open house!

6 – Lighten up!:    Add some inexpensive solar lights down walkways, in front of flower beds or around the deck.  Get the attention of those evening shoppers!

Now, sit back and let the offers roll in.  Oh, and that weekend that you’re planning on moving?

Sorry, we’re busy.

Rock on!

Paul