Real Estate Blog

Ready to put away the mower or cancel your lawn service for the season? Hold on, not so fast! The
weather is still quite warm during the day and above 60 degrees at night so the grass will continue to
grow, just not as fast as it would in spring. The bad news is that you will still need to mow but the good
news is you won’t need to mow as often. And maybe it will even turn green and look like grass again
instead of brown scorched earth! Once there is frost and daytime temperatures drop below about 50
degrees, growth will slow and you are off the hook for the year, at least for mowing!

Other than mowing, there are a few tasks that if handled over the next few weeks will help ensure a
better start for your lawn next spring. If you want to give your lawn the best start after winter, consider
aeration and fertilization now. In the next few weeks, it will also be prime time for reseeding or laying
sod in bare areas. Aeration will help break up the dry compacted soil from the heat of the summer
allowing anything you plant to get a better start. Cooler temperatures and increased rainfall will help
the grass seed germinate or roots to take hold and fill in those empty spaces with much less effort. Just
remember as leaves start to fall to keep them raked or chopped up, so the new grass growth doesn’t get
smothered. Now is also a good time to plant some new shrubs, trees or even a few fall vegetables in
your garden for the same reason. Plants can send out some new roots and thrive without the stress of
being burned alive in the summer sun! Just because summer has come to an end doesn’t mean the
growing season has to be over!

This is also a great time to clean up landscaped beds, trim dead limbs and branches, plant some
perennials, and apply some new mulch. A little extra mulch applied now can help with control of weed
growth over winter months especially if it is warmer or we get more rainfall than usual.
With just a bit of planning in the next month or two you can ensure a strong start for your lawn and a
little less maintenance for your landscaping next year!...  "You've Got A Friend in Real Estate"

Jarod Tanklsey 615.403.8265

www.BrentwoodandBeyond.com

Brentview Realty 615.J373.2814

As we move towards Labor Day, there is a noticeable difference in the amount of daylight in the evenings and as the temperatures and humidity start to become milder, spending time outside is about to become much more enjoyable!  Now is a perfect time to add additional exterior lighting features or repair what you already have in preparation for those relaxing evenings outdoors.

Outdoor lighting does not need to be fancy or expensive.  Consider where you will spend the most time in the evening, what features could benefit from additional illumination and whether you would like the light to shine up, down or a have a mixture of both.  Walkways, patios, pools, decks, or pergolas are all good places to start.  You could also emphasize large trees or other plants and fences.

Adding lights to your outdoor space doesn’t mean you need to immediately call the electrician.  Start by replacing bulbs that may be burned out and cleaning the globes on current fixtures.  Stringing up some simple Christmas lights in your favorite colors could also do the trick!  There are a variety of string lights available in a range of prices and bulb styles.  Changing your lighting scheme outdoors could also be as simple as changing the color of your current bulbs from “daylight” to a more natural “warm” tone. 

Lights can be powered by the sun, batteries or be directly wired to your home’s electrical panel.  Just like your indoor lighting, a very popular outdoor lighting style is one that is layered.  Try using lower wattage bulbs in sconces or other structural overhead fixtures and then adding additional layers of light with string lights, lamps or other small accent lights at ceiling, table or on the ground level.  Just be sure to check that any bulbs or fixtures you purchase for outdoor use are rated as such and consult an electrician if you want to install new fixtures or make wiring changes to current fixtures that are or will be connected to your electrical panel.  Making some simple updates to your outdoor lighting scheme is a quick and easy way to make your outdoor experiences more enjoyable this season. And remember.... "You've Got A Freind in Real Esate"

Jarod Tanksley 615.403.8265

www.BrentwoodandBeyond.com

Brentview Realty 615.373.2814