Category: Lifestyle

The Three Basic Types of Deck Material

On By Brendan WetzelIn LifestyleLeave a comment

  Brendan Wetzel, a graduate of Rider University, serves as the president and owner of Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company. Through this Pennsylvania-based company, he offers numerous landscaping services to clients in the Bucks County area. Beyond that, Brendan Wetzel and his business provide seal coating, paving, and deck-building services.

There are several types of decking material that homeowners can choose from, and they are broadly divided into three categories: wood, composite, and polymer. Below are some pros and cons of each one:

1. Wood: Many property owners strive to have a wood deck added to their home. These decks are usually made of cedar, spruce, or pine, and are resistant to moisture and many other outdoor elements. Unfortunately, wood decks require intensive maintenance and will naturally degrade over time, although some types of wood are more long-lasting than others.

2. Composite: Made of a blend of wood and resin, composite decks resemble natural wood, but require much less maintenance. Although composite decks are more expensive than some wood decks, they last longer and are capable of withstanding damage from the elements. However, they do retain heat, thus making them difficult to walk on during the day, especially in summer sunlight.

3. Polymer: Polymer decking is made entirely of plastic and is available in a variety of colors. Such decking does not fade in sunlight and is resistant to rotting and mold. Like composite decks, they require minimal maintenance. While polymer decks are usually the most expensive synthetic-wood decks, they are cheaper than those made of exotic natural wood.

Three Things to Do During Fall Cleanup

On By Brendan WetzelIn Brendan Wetzel, LifestyleLeave a comment

Brendan Wetzel, the president and owner of Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, offers different landscaping services to clients. Brendan Wetzel and his team provide water drainage services, such as installing lawn drainage systems as well as seasonal clean-up services to keep landscapes looking nice throughout the year.

To maintain the appearance and overall health of the lawn, you must conduct seasonal cleanup and proper maintenance. While many people worry about summer and spring, fall is actually one of the best seasons to prepare the lawn for winter. Below are several things that must be done as part of a fall cleanup:

1. Remove debris – During the year, trees and some other plants shed their foliage. This debris not only smothers grass and plant growth, it also provides pests a safe place to hide. Because of this, debris should regularly be removed from a landscape using a tarp or rake. It’s also possible to run the lawn mower over fallen leaves to shred them and make them suitable for fertilizer.

2. Trim away the dead – Once winter hits, dead branches and plants are much more susceptible to damage from the cold winds. This increases the risk of the branches cracking or breaking, thus posing a damage to you or your home when the plant is large enough. Rather than risk this, trim away any dead branches, or pull out plants that have died completely.

3. Protect plants – Not every plant is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, so it’s important that these sensitive plants are protected for the cold winter temperatures. This is accomplished by either moving the plants indoors or installing a frost guard. At the same time, you can’t forget about the plants that can withstand the temperature drop by mulching them with leaves and organic waste.

Tips for Getting Rid of Weeds Without Harming Your Lawn

On By Brendan WetzelIn LifestyleLeave a comment

  Pennsylvania resident Brendan Wetzel oversees the operations at Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company as owner and president. Serving residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Brendan Wetzel recognizes the importance of maintaining beautiful landscaping at residential and commercial properties and provides such services as weed control.

Similar to other plants, weeds grow and thrive if given the chance. Because of this, it is essential that all lawn caregivers take the proper precautions when it comes to weed control. Often times, this requires good preventative measures that begin before weeds start growing. Such things include keeping the grass longer, which shades the ground and slows weed seed germination. Fertilizing the lawn every six to eight weeks also limits weed growth, as does watering the lawn deeply or placing some landscape fabric over the area.

If weeds have already started growing, lawn caregivers must look at the lawn to determine what type of weeds they are dealing with. This knowledge allows people to choose a treatment based on the specific type of weed growing and it’s age. Established weeds usually need post-emergent weed killer, most of which does not harm grass when used properly.

However, it will kill other plants, so it’s important that it’s only used when there is no wind to blow the particles to other areas of the yard. Pets and people must also keep away from treated areas for a few hours so it can dry properly without disturbances.

Good Tree Choices for Your Yard

On By Brendan WetzelIn LifestyleLeave a comment

  Brendan Wetzel has served as the owner and president of the Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company for the past 10 years. In this position, Brendan Wetzel oversees a variety of landscaping and seal-coating services throughout the region of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The services of Yardley Landscaping and Paving range from driveway sealant application to tree and shrub planting.

Choosing the correct tree to plant in your yard is an important decision. The aesthetic appeal of individual tree species is a matter of opinion. However, the maintenance demands and benefits or drawbacks of each tree should be considered by homeowners before planting.

Tulip trees represent a good start in the consideration of trees for the yard. Tulip trees have tulip-like blossoms in the spring and striking yellow leaves in the fall. A fast-growing hardwood, tulip trees can quickly offer homeowners a shady respite in the summer. Tulip trees are easily manageable in most climates, though homeowners should consult with landscaping professionals about pests and height issues.

Arborvitae trees, sometimes known as green giants, are a good addition to a yard in need of privacy. These trees can form natural barriers between properties. Further, green giants can thrive in virtually any kind of soil and are a hardy species.

Additional trees to consider include Sun Valley maples and prairifire crabapples, which are especially suited to small properties.