Backyard Party Tips: Create the Perfect Backyard for Parties

A backyard party is fun letting you have a great time with your family and friends while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. However, to have amazing outdoor parties, you need to spruce up your backyard so that it can become the favorite hang-out place of everyone. Here are some tips to prepare your backyard to make your next outdoor party a great success!

Tips to Have an Amazing Backyard Party

1. Resolve Lawn Problems

The first thing your guests would notice when they arrive in your lawn. So, if there are any issues with your lawn, address them quickly.

2. Make your Lawn Green and Lush

If your lawn is not lush already, try taking steps to improve your lawn’s health. With proper care, you can have a healthy and lush lawn in spite of the blazing sun and barefoot traffic it is subjected to for prolonged hours.

All American Turf Beauty can help improve your lawn’s health, facilitating healthy growth of grass. Our lawn professionals can examine your lawn to find the problems and fix them efficiently.

3. Put Plants in Containers and Place in your Backyard

Having plants in containers placed at your backyard is a quick and effective way of adding some variety and color to the outdoor space.

4. Prune Flowers and Shrubs

Many homeowners don’t pay much attention to pruning their plants. However, pruning is simple and can significantly improve the appearance and health of your landscaping. Here you can find a guide to pruning properly.

5. Illuminate Steps and Walkways

Install lights at steps and along dark walkways to light up the area and thereby eliminate tripping hazards. Solar-operated and battery-operated lights are more convenient to be used at such places as they don’t require wiring.

6. Install Lighting for Aesthetic Appeal

To create a great ambiance for a backyard party, consider installing some lighting designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space. All American Turf Beauty offers the best in class Architectural and Landscape Lighting options that can dramatically beautify your outdoors.

7. Spruce Up Your Deck

Before organizing an outdoor party, examine your deck for any signs of stained boards, loose railings, or decaying wood. After ensuring that it’s safe, revamp your deck by cleaning it and then restaining it.

8. Clean your Patio

Mildew and moss can make your patio slippery and debris can leave stains behind. So, ensure that your patio is clean before inviting guests for your backyard party.

9. Get the Grill Ready

In case you’ve not used your grill for quite some time, give it a checkup. Ensure that your grill is ready for a backyard house party by doing things like inspecting the tank of the grill, deep-cleaning it, and more.

10. Create a Fire Pit

Roasting marshmallows while sitting by a fire is a fun activity for both children and adults, especially when the weather is cool. Create a fire pit in your backyard to have a cozy place for your guests to lounge and keep themselves warm.

Wrap Up

Having an outdoor party in the backyard is indeed a wonderful way of spending time with your family and friends and doing fun activities. Nevertheless, to turn your garden party into an amazing garden party, you need to have your backyard party-ready. The above tips will help you do so. If you have any lawn-related problems hindering your backyard party setup, reach out to us to get the issues fixed fast by our expert lawn care professionals!

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Tips for More Efficient and Safer Snow Removal this Winter

The winter months are a time of festivities on one hand. On the other hand, these chilly months bring with them several chores and preparations. Before snowfall begins, you might want to get your vehicles serviced and pack away the t-shirts and shorts. Besides these jobs, one task that’s quite important and should be paid attention to is snow removal.

Although you can hire a reliable company for snow removal service, you might want to handle the chore on your own. In the case of the later, we’re providing you some valuable tips that would help you accomplish the job more efficiently and safely.

Helpful Snow Removal Tips

1. Get a Good Shovel

Investing in a high-quality shovel can help you in a safer, more effective and efficient snow removal. You can find numerous cheap shovels in the market but spending a bit more for a quality shovel can help you a lot in your work.

Choose a shovel that is suitable for your body structure and height as well as is appropriate considering the area of ground to be cleared. There are many sizes and shapes in which shovels are available, so take some time to choose the one that fits your specific needs.

2. Use Sand or Salt for Snow Removal

You can make the process of snow removal much easier by applying sand or salt diligently to your walkways prior to snowfalls. Doing so facilitates melting and prevents hard-pack ice and snow buildup.

The substance allowed to be used for this purpose differs in different neighborhoods and cities, and so, ensure that you check with the local authorities prior to selecting the substance.

3. Shovel Early and Often

Staying ahead of the winter storms is probably the best strategy for DIY snow removal. Choose to shovel throughout the winter storm rather than letting huge amounts of snow gather before you remove it. Doing such would facilitate lighter loads as well as more efficient removal of snow.

4. Mark the Areas to be Cleared Using Snow Stakes

Snow and ice removal are simpler when you mark the outside edges of areas to be cleared. Snow stakes can help street cleaners and commercial plow companies avoid burying your walkways or driveway.

Likewise, if you are clearing your driveways and walkways on your own, the stakes would help you work more efficiently when removing snow as well as avoid tearing up the lawn or the surrounding area unintentionally with the snow blower.

5. Don’t Ignore the Ice

While the buildup of snow leads to inconvenience, the ice beneath is something that can create the real trouble. Icy walkways can be difficult to notice and are slippery. They can create unforeseen hazards for people traveling on them.

So, after you have cleared storm snow, ensure to carefully check that your walkways are free from any ice, which can pose much more danger than a bit of powdery snow.

Prioritize your Safety and Well-Being when Working on Snow Removal

When thinking about removing snow on your own, it’s important to ensure that the job is safe to do for you and does not interfere with your health and well-being.

The activity of shoveling is not safe for all. For some, shoveling snow may serve as a workout, while for others the activity may pose a risk. As per the National Safety Council (NSC), people who are 40 years old or more, as well as people who are not active routinely, should be extra cautious when shoveling.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), shoveling snow may lead to strains and sprains in the shoulders and back for people who don’t usually lift such weight.

It has also been suggested by the NSC that those with heart issues in the past should not shovel without getting an OK from a qualified doctor. According to the American Heart Association, heart attack risk can increase while doing the activity of shoveling as physical labor and cold temperatures can cause the heart to work harder.

The younger, active adults or those without any heart issues are not necessarily free from risk, as they may get hurt, in case, they don’t employ proper techniques for snow shoveling. So, here are some safety tips for snow shoveling to follow when you venture out for snow removal.

Wear the Right Clothing

AAOS recommends wearing layered clothing that resists water, and offers ventilation and insulation. For instance, have a base layer that’s moisture-wicking, then a fleece, and a winter coat finally, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, wear heavy socks and slip-resistant boots, and keep your hands and head covered.

Warm Up Before Starting to Shovel

AAOS advices people to warm up the body before starting to shovel snow, like you would do before starting a workout at gym. As per the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), march for a couple of minutes in place and stretch the muscles as that would help lower the injury risk.

Shovel at the Right Time

Make the snow removal labor less intensive by being ahead of the snow. Start shoveling shortly after the snow begins to fall rather than waiting for the snowfall to end. The Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) states that the driveway or sidewalk should be cleared after snow accumulates for one or two inches to prevent the snow from freezing and becoming harder to be scraped from the ground.

Follow the Right Technique of Shoveling

It’s recommended by Consumer Reports to lift with the legs while keeping the back straight. Also, if you keep the hands farther down on the shovel’s handle, the weight you lift will feel lighter. Consumer Reports also suggests pushing the snow simply to avoid the necessity of lifting and throwing it that may put additional stress on the back.

Take Water Breaks Often

With the cold weather outside, you may want to have hot coffee. However, SIMA states that drinking plenty of water is important while shoveling snow. As snow removal is an intense job and may cause you to break a sweat, taking water breaks frequently can keep you hydrated.

Stop and Stretch Frequently

As shoveling snow is a strenuous activity, you should pace yourself as recommended by NATA. To prevent burn out too quickly, NATA advises people to stop to rest and stretch the back and shoulders every 5 or 10 minutes.

As noted by the American Heart Association, pay attention to your body and what it says irrespective of your age and/or physical condition. Stop shoveling in case you have pain in your shoulders, arms or back, or feel short of breath, nauseated or dizzy.

Wrap Up

Doing walkway or driveway snow removal on your own may not be fun always, however, following these tips and techniques for snow removal can help you accomplish the job more safely and efficiently.

If you are looking for a reliable company for snow removal service, we will be happy to help you! All American Turf Beauty is a leading residential snow removal service provider based in Iowa. We have expertise in offering quality snow shoveling services and use the best snow removal equipment. Give us a call at 1-800-365-8873 to avail our snow cleaning service!

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7 Types of Holiday Lights Advised by Professional Light Installers

A dip in the mercury tells you that the most exciting time of the year is here. Time to take out the tangled lights and scramble on the ladder to decorate your roofs and homes. Indeed, it is a creative challenge! At AATB, we suggest something different this year. Why not leave this hassle to our professional light installers? They have the most amazing suggestions about what kind of lights will be suitable for your homes. Here are a few inspiring thoughts!

Go classic with icicle lights

Talk about outdoor Christmas light ideas and you cannot miss the classic icicle lights. A bunch is way better than a single strand as it adds to the much-required dazzle. This definitely tops our list of recommended lights. With 8 different light modes and varying lengths, these are your go-to lights for creating a statement outdoors.

Say hallelujah with string lights

An extra twinkle has never harmed anyone, and your outdoor holiday lighting will have all the twinkle with string lights. Very similar to old-fashioned Christmas lights, these string lights can twinkle, flash and can even display 6 different light modes. They come in long strings and can majorly cover a wide space.

Splash of color with multicolored lights

The battery-operated multicolored ball lights can be carried anywhere without any extension cord. Best for a no-hassle décor, these lights are a favorite among people who want to move beyond the traditional white light for holidays.

Popularly known as globe lights among Christmas light installers these are known for their dramatic display which ranges from slow fade to flickering. As they are waterproof, they can be conveniently used outdoors without any worry.

Light up your path with these lights

Let your porch and curb be illuminated with these colorful candy cane lights. They are easy to install. You need to insert them where you want to position them, and you are sorted for holiday lighting. Everything about them is so Christmassy that they double the festive cheer when you decorate your homes with them. They also go well with Christmas scenes like Santa Claus and reindeers.

Wrap it up with wreaths

Wreaths are nothing but a big ball of lights which are an integral part of Iowa lighting installation. These are perfect for people whose Christmas motto is ‘go big or nothing’. The best thing about these light wreaths – you can place them literally anywhere! They are so handy that you can hang them or use them to illuminate small bushes and shrubs.

‘Projecting’ the happy vibe

If you think that string lights are passé, then make way for the magical effect of a plug-in projector. This is a fine alternative to traditional holiday lights. You can easily work your way through an automatic timer and wireless remote. As the soft mellow light creates a beautiful snowflake effect, the ambience is to die for.

Professional light installers recommend this for Christmas decorations Iowa as it can be used indoors as well. This can surely be your next go-to party essential. You can change the color scheme and lights with a remote as per the occasions.

Worth a catch: the ‘netty’ effect

Your search for innovative outdoor holiday lighting ideas ends with net lights which are a Holiday special. If you have one, you will want more as they are so easy to put on bushes. And they look particularly have the ‘oh-so-amazing’ effect. Get that glittery effect on bushes with net lights!

Holiday decorating gets more interesting with the following lights:

• Novelty: The holiday season is literally incomplete without novelty lighted objects. You can follow a theme when you choose your lighted objects.
• Solar-powered lights: Want to try the eco-friendly options in vogue? Solar-powered lights come with versatile designs; so, it is easier to customize them as per your home. Do not forget to keep them on a sunny spot to have that extra shine.
• Fairy lights with copper wires: They are the trendiest lights in the block and highly recommended by our professional light installers. Instead of difficult-to-hide wires, you have delicate copper cords which can be easily wrapped around trees. They emit a warm light and can be placed outdoors during winters.
• Retro lights: Bring back the swinging 70s or rocking 80s with these retro-inspired lights. Old-school Christmas décor gets more interesting with these amazing lights.
• Rope lights: It may be an uncommon choice but if you have railings in walkways, these will simply dazzle. You can also use them in backyards if you have a fancy deck.

Still thinking?

Pros for hiring professional light installers: We take the hassle of putting up the lights, taking them down and will store and maintain them for later use.

Cons: Not much, and if you are still thinking, contact us and we will do the rest for professional light installation!

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