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Justin Cawyer
Justin Cawyer is the CEO of American Lawn & Landscape Inc., and has been in the landscape industry for 22 years. Starting out as a mowing service, their business has expanded to include everything from landscaping to fertilizing and weed control. For a complete list of services, you can see their ad in Names and Numbers, visit yardsbyamerican.com, or call 620-249-5700.
Lawn, Garden & Landscaping
2013-06-25 09:37:05
How do I make my backyard more inviting?
Q-I want to make my backyard more inviting and comfortable for entertaining without spending a fortune. Do you have any quick ideas that could spruce it up?
A-Actually, backyards are one of the easiest places to spend little but see dramatic change. Without knowing what your backyard looks like currently, I will offer some general ideas that might work or at least provide a starting point for other ideas. First, do a cursory assessment of your yard. Think about what you want to achieve, and that will guide your efforts and your spending, whether you want more seating, a greener lawn, or more color. Many backyards have a patio or deck, and this is a great place to start. Most of the time, we fail to take advantage of the opportunity this provides for adding comfort and impact. Try lining your deck with shrubbery that provides a wonderful backdrop and acts almost as an interior wall would. Once in place, you can add even more visual interest by using potted plants and flowers benches, or other interesting seating arrangements. Another idea is to delineate spaces. Add or fix borders along flowerbeds, add fresh mulch, add walkways, or line existing walkways with greenery. Consider adding additional trees or shrubbery along the property line if you like more privacy. Since it sounds like you want to do lots of entertaining, consider adding things that will make that more fun, such as a fire pit or additional seating, or table areas. These do not have to be expensive or even traditional. In fact, upcycling is such a huge trend that you can let your mind go crazy and pull in anything that works for you. Try using logs and tree stumps for stools and side tables, or making a rustic table from old doors. While you do not have to spend a lot to see results, it is also easy to overspend very quickly. If you need help a specialist in the lawn and landscaping business will be happy to advise.
 
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