Green Thumb or Pro
Touch: Navigating DIY
Gardening and
Professional
Landscaping

As spring breathes new life into our outdoor spaces, you may find yourself eager to spruce up your garden and landscape. While many enjoy getting their hands dirty with DIY projects, it's important to know when to call in the professionals. Here are some tips for spring gardening and landscaping, along with guidance on when to tackle a project yourself versus when to hire a pro:

DIY flower beds and planting: There's a special satisfaction that comes with planting flowers and sprucing up your flower beds. Sowing seeds, transplanting seedlings, and arranging flower beds can be fulfilling and cost-effective DIY projects. This spring, consider adding a variety of colorful blooms to attract pollinators and add visual interest to your garden.

Professional tree and shrub care: Certain tasks, like pruning large trees or removing dead branches, are best left to the professionals. Hiring a professional arborist ensures the job is done safely and correctly, promoting the health and longevity of your landscape.

DIY lawn maintenance: Basic lawn care tasks such as mowing, edging, and fertilizing are well within your capabilities. Invest in quality equipment and follow best practices to keep your grass healthy and lush throughout the spring and summer months.

Professional irrigation system installation: Installing an irrigation system is a task that's often best handled by professionals. A well-designed system ensures efficient water distribution and helps conserve water, keeping your landscape thriving.

DIY mulching and soil amendment: Adding mulch and amending soil are DIY tasks that can benefit your garden's health. Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and amend soil with organic matter to enrich fertility and promote healthy plant growth.

By combining your DIY efforts with professional expertise, you can achieve a beautiful and thriving landscape that enhances your outdoor living experience throughout the spring and beyond. Assess your skills and resources, and consider the complexity of the task at hand when deciding whether to tackle it yourself or hire a professional.

Smart Spring Savings for Homeowners

As the snow melts and flowers bloom, spring brings new
opportunities for homeowners to save money while
maintaining and improving their properties. Here are
some savvy savings to watch out for:

Seize seasonal maintenance deals: Many service
providers offer discounts on tasks like HVAC
servicing, gutter cleaning, and lawn care. Take
advantage of these deals to maintain your home
without overspending.

Shop spring cleaning sales: Retailers slash prices
on cleaning supplies, organization products, and
storage solutions during spring cleaning sales.
Stock up on essentials to declutter and freshen
your space while saving money.

Invest in outdoor equipment: With warmer
weather approaching, consider investing in
outdoor equipment like lawnmowers, grills,
and patio furniture. Look for sales and
promotions to score great deals on these
items, preparing for outdoor enjoyment.

Utilize energy efficiency rebates: Many utility
companies offer rebates for upgrading to
energy-efficient appliances, windows, and insulation.
Take advantage of these programs to lower energy
bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Consider long-term investments: In addition to
immediate savings, also consider long-term
investments like upgrading to energy-efficient
appliances or investing in home renovations
that improve efficiency and reduce
maintenance costs over time. By
strategically planning and budgeting for
these investments in the spring, you
can enjoy both immediate savings
and long-term financial benefits.

Modernizing Easter Classics

Create a memorable Easter feast this year by incorporating modern twists into your favourite classic recipes. Here are some ideas that blend tradition with innovation:

Embrace global flavours. Incorporate international ingredients and spices to infuse traditional dishes with new and exciting flavors. Add a twist to your ham glaze with a sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce or infuse your roasted lamb with Mediterranean flair by seasoning it with za'atar and sumac.

Try modern techniques. Instead of traditional roasting, consider sous vide cooking your lamb for tender, evenly cooked results, or use an air fryer to crisp up your potato side dishes without excess oil.

Dare to innovate. Incorporate quinoa or alternative flours to update recipes and cater to dietary preferences. Replace traditional breadcrumbs with quinoa for a gluten-free coating on your lamb chops or use almond flour to make a grain-free crust for your Easter pie.

Play with textures and contrasts. Experiment with contrasting textures and unexpected combinations to add excitement to familiar dishes. For example, serve a creamy risotto alongside crispy fried asparagus spears or top your desserts with crunchy praline crumbles for a delightful contrast of textures.

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