As stay-at-home advisories are rolled out not only in our county, state, or country but worldwide, all of us homeowners should do our very best to still live a relatively normal life, including getting some fresh air and morning sunlight, albeit only within the confines of our outdoor area. And even if we’re still at home, we still need to take precautionary measures to make sure our outdoor areas are safe spaces to be in during this pandemic.

Tip#1: Install screens to block droplets.

As coronavirus spreads through droplets, installed screens, whether it be polycarbonate sheets or even plastic sheets can block the virus from entering your outdoor area while still letting sunshine filter in. As the virus can stay on surfaces for as long as 72 hours, it’s better to clean surfaces with soap and water to break down the virus.

Tip#2: Have a sanitary footbath mat instead of your regular doormat.

The spread of coronavirus is not limited to the surfaces we touch but also thrives on floors we walk on. To prevent from carrying it indoors, install a sanitary footbath by the doorway or better yet, have a different pair of footwear for outdoor and indoor.

Tip#3: Keep sanitizers, alcohol, or even a mixture of soap and water spray in your outdoor area.

It’s great news to know that coronavirus is sensitive to most common cleaning agents out there so a common Lysol spray can easily prevent the spread of COVID-19. You can also look at EPA’s list of disinfectants for SARS-COV-2 and filter it for human coronavirus to see whether your cleaning agent is there.

During this Coronavirus pandemic, we can all do something to prevent the spread of the virus, help our frontliners, and save lives by staying at home and putting in protection measures in our own homes and outdoor areas. Follow these tips for a safer stay in your outdoor area and if you have more tips to share, comment it below!

A covered patio designed well can provide you respite from the famous Texas heat and give you a cool getaway without having to leave your house.

Shade sail pergola

Propped by solid steel and stretched just enough to allow enough sunlight to penetrate, a shade sail-covered patio looks minimalist but elegant and chic from afar. The space underneath is also comfortable enough to be an outdoor living room. To add some flair, you can add a rug to define the space and some ornate steel chairs. Many afternoon tea and talks await in this lovely space.

Vine-covered pergola

Emulate the ambiance of a Tuscany villa pergola by having the posts overrun by lovely vines such as Coral Honeysuckle with coral red flowers or Climbing Prairie Rose which can grow up to 6-15 feet. While there are more varieties of lovely vines that thrive in the Texas sun, always make sure you check the plants soil and sun requirements in order to easily achieve a vine-covered pergola.

Outdoor lounge

Populated by a hammock, and chaise longues, your outdoor lounge need not be stuffy and packed with heavy furniture. A hammock, for example, helps you free up more space by packing it or hanging it when not in use.

Outhouse

Make your patio as cozy and functional as your indoors by installing a compact outdoor kitchen and a custom-fitted fire pit in the midst of your seating area. Cook, dine, and chill with your family and friends in the space made functional and cozy by these outdoor additions.

Thatched patio

If you had childhood dreams of living in a treehouse, achieve it by having a thatched roof overhead covering your patio and wicker or wooden furniture. Hang a hammock ready and sturdy enough for a short afternoon nap.

An outdoor project requires more than just your financial resources. It needs your time, patience, and attention for it to be a success. With that in mind, here are top 5 frequently asked questions to ask your contractor before beginning your outdoor project with them.

How long does this type of outdoor project last?

An outdoor project disrupts your usual routine, even if it is conducted outdoors. There will be noise affecting not only you but also your neighbors, busy foot traffic, and timing concerns especially if the materials will be custom-made. That said, having a flexible schedule with enough lead time is a must if you want the outdoor project to progress smoothly.

How many workers will you have on this project?

Knowing how many workers will be in your backyard is the first step to ensuring safety and security for all. Take the time to acquaint yourself with the workers to motivate them to do their best while working on your project. A greeting and warm welcome can go a long way.

Who will be my contact person?

Talking to different people in your outdoor team can be confusing. Streamline all communication by asking who would be the project manager or main contact person you can get in touch with in case you have concerns, requests, or questions.

What happens if there’s a change in the plan?

While the planning stage is there to smooth out all the details for the project, changes are inevitable. It’s better to be clear how changes are managed, approved, and applied before the change request happens. It’s also wise to clarify early on who foots the bill for the change requests.

Will you handle maintenance?

Maintenance is always a key factor in the longevity and sturdiness of your outdoor installation. Maintenance is also a warranty of sorts that your contractor may offer for certain minor issues that can occur within a specified duration after the project has been completed.

The year has just begun and while the gardening tasks is yet to pick up, it’s also the best time to prepare for the coming spring and planting season. In this article, we’ll give you 5 tasks you should do in order to ensure planting success for the rest of the year!

Clean your gardening tools.

After a year of full use, there is no better time to clean your handy tools than now. Removing dirt and other impurities. Sharpen dull edges of your gardening shears and straighten any out of shape to make your tools look like they’re new.

Prepare the soil.

Winter isn’t just a time for the soil to rest and recuperate. It’s also an opportune time to spread your compost and let winter help you incorporate it back into the soil. Come spring planting time, your soil will be much healthier and full of nutrients for your plants.

Collect seeds.

If you’re keen on growing your garden, no need to run down again to the seed & feed store. Gather all the dried seeds from the flowers of your plants and keep it ready for its planting season.

Trim the dried parts that still cling to your plant.

Got dried out leaves or flowers still clinging to its branches? Cut it down and add it to your compost pile. This helps your plant conserve all its nutrients and feed it to its remaining healthy branches. Cutting away the rotting or diseased parts also stops it from spreading and killing the rest of the plant.

Water your plants according to their needs.

Just because the temperature is going down, doesn’t mean your plants will stop need water. Keep on watering on schedule and help your plant weather the colder weather this winter.

Do you have other gardening tasks we didn’t mention above? Feel free to share it with us in the comments below.