Rhianna Miller, a home and garden improvement expert with RubberMulch.com in Lakewood, N.J. She also says homeowners can consider longer-lasting materials to create aesthetic spaces in and around a patio or deck. “Landscaping in colder climates may benefit from different types of mulch, such as rubber, which is more durable and weather resistant than traditional cedar or other wood chips,� Miller says. For those living in climates where the ground freezes, water features are another item that require regular maintenance. Just like in-ground sprinkler systems, fountains need to be winterized, including possibly moving the pump indoors. As warm weather returns, professionals must flush, clean and reset those pumps. No matter the climate, Lamb and other landscaping experts say one of the most popular outdoor living features in recent years is a fire pit. Experts agree that a gas line, while a little more expensive to install, will be much easier to care for than a woodburning fire pit, which must be cleaned and ashes properly cooled and disposed of.
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ACCOUNT FOR ACCESSORIES When building water features, R.J. Lamb, a landscape architect with Lambs Lawn and Landscaping near Louisville, Ky., encourages his clients to invest in a design that will allow for a hard shell liner. Although more expensive in the beginning, hard shell liners often come with a lifetime warranty. Soft liners have a limited warranty and when it begins to leak, the
accompanying hardscape work could cost upwards of $5,000. Karp says he is working with a company to develop outdoor lighting options that will naturally deter bugs with a near-zero maintenance level. He expects the products to be available within the next year. In northern regions dominated by cold and snow, all outdoor rugs and furniture should be covered or stored indoors for the winter. But because of innovations in material sciences that wick away moisture, rugs that are exposed to rain and humidity in the summer months will now dry faster, thus eliminating mold and mildew. Karp prefers a basket-weave rug because of the interesting texture, which feels good on bare feet, and, when worn out can be composted, which sends it back to nature. Addressing many of these maintenance issues when planning your space will ensure your outdoor entertainment area is ready to shine when the warm temperatures of spring and the hot and humid days of summer beckon. l Select perennial or low-maintenance plants for a backyard garden.
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