Patio Storage

As the spring months roll in, it’s time to start thinking about what it will take to get the pool open this year. If you have an inground pool or an above ground pool that’s already in place, you know this is a big process that often takes a bit of hard work and attention to detail. Getting it right, though, helps set you up for a summer full of water fun. Where do you start when it comes to opening your pool after the winter? Before you open the pool shed to get started, consider these steps.

What to Consider When Opening an Inground Pool

If you have an inground pool that’s in good condition, you may be able to open it on your own. If it needs significant repairs or a new liner, it may be a good idea to speak to a professional about making those upgrades.

Chemicals

A good starting place is with preparing your chemicals. Most of the time, you'll need chemicals such as chlorine, pH increaser, pH decrease, an alkalinity increaser, water clarifier, and a calcium hardness increaser. Yes, it's a lot, but you'll need to have these on hand to help you to balance the water on a routine basis. That's most difficult to do at the start of the season. You will likely need to have a pH tester to help you.

Removing the Pool Cover

The first step in the process is to remove anything on top of the pool cover before attempting to remove the pool cover. You don't want to add anything else into it. After pulling off the pool cover safely, put it aside, laying flat since you'll need to

Bikes are more than simple transportation tools. They are also an investment. This is why if you have a bike, you worry that it will get stolen when you leave it in public places. Well, this fear is justified because most people have gotten their bike stolen or know someone who's had their bike stolen.

In fact, over 188,500 bicycle thefts are reported in the US each year on average. That's why bike locks are so popular when parking your bike in public.

Most bike owners use a U-lock or a heavy lock to lock the bike frame to the parking rack and try to avoid parking in isolated and overcrowded areas for this reason. However, what they don't realize is that the probability of your bike being stolen at home is higher than when in public. This makes having a secure bike shed to lock your bike a priority.

What Is a Bike Shed?

A bike shed is typically a small building that you use to store your bike. The best thing about owning one is the amount of security it provides. It is the perfect place to store your bikes if you prefer keeping them outside your house.

A good bike storage shed protects your bike from theft and extreme weather elements that may damage it or lead to rusting or malfunctioning.

With wintertime almost over, the first signs of spring are starting to show. With the cold spell coming to an end and with the year still being a new one, this is the perfect time for a fresh, blossoming yard cleanup.

Although it may only look like a couple of twigs and dead flowers to clean up, yard work is so much more taxing in reality. Each branch, each stem, and each pack of fertilizer demands your full attention, and if you take a casual and easy way out, you will leave your yard in a real mess.

However, a well-planned and calculated spring cleanup can help you avoid all the troublesome aspects of the cleaning. Unsurprisingly, planning your yard cleanup can also help your garden grow back much better, thriving, and colorful. Once you have all your energy geared up for a day, or a couple of days’ worth of hard work, here’s what you have to do.

When Should I Start My Spring Cleanup?

Since spring comes gradually and not all at once, it can be a little challenging to determine precisely when you should start your spring cleanup. The departure of winter and arrival of spring can vary in timing and pace. Sometimes, you may notice some of your plants already flowering and bearing fruits while the others have only just turned their leaves brown.

Different plants have different flowering cycles and resistance to winter spells. The soil and fertilizer you use may also create a difference in how ready the garden is at any particular point to go through a yard cleanup. And the most significant

The weather is warming up, making now the perfect time to start thinking about backyard ideas to spruce up your deck and patio. A few simple patio and deck ideas can quickly turn your backyard space into a comfortable and stylish outdoor living area.

Need some inspiration? The following backyard ideas will show you just how easy it is to add a sense of elegance and charm to your backyard patio or deck.  

1. Install Decorative Shade

Adding decorative shade is one of the best ways to keep your deck cool and comfortable. Whether you prefer a contemporary or traditional look, you’re sure to find a source of shade that appeals to you.

A simple sun shade is one of the easiest and least expensive solutions. It’s a great way to add a pop of color to your space while also keeping the sun’s harsh rays away. If you prefer a portable solution, consider a high-quality patio umbrella instead. Not only will this provide you with some extra flexibility, but you'll also be able to adjust it to block out the sun throughout the day. Make sure you anchor your umbrella in a sturdy base so it doesn't blow over. If space is tight, choose a side table that doubles as an umbrella stand and place a chair on either side. 

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, consider adding a gazebo or pergola to your backyard deck. Not only will this create more shade, but it will also change the entire look and feel of

Decorating for the holidays makes everything more festive and fun! However, after the holidays have passed, putting everything away can feel like a logistical nightmare. Not only is it always a struggle to find enough room, but it’s important to keep everything organized, so it’s easy to decorate again next year.

Knowing how to store outdoor Christmas decorations will help you put everything safely away without turning it into a major project! Follow these smart Christmas decoration storage tips, and you’ll be back indoors relaxing before you know it.

Porch & Yard Décor

While those light-up reindeer and holiday snowmen might look great in your front yard, figuring out how to put them safely away is one of the biggest Christmas decoration storage challenges. The first step is to figure out what you should box up and what’s better left out on its own.

While outdoor décor is built to withstand the elements, you’ll still need to protect them when they’re not on display. To store inflatables, carefully fold them up, wind up their electrical cords, and put them together inside a weatherproof box. Clear plastic storage boxes with tight-fitting lids are one of the best options. They'll keep out dust and moisture and allow you to see what's inside.

Larger porch and yard decorations are often safest if they’re left out and placed in a safe corner of your garage or storage shed. If the dec

It’s common to decorate the front of your home for the season, but you don’t have to stop there! Why not bring some festive fall fun out to your backyard patio? After all, you'll spend much more time there than you will on your front porch. 

Adding some fall patio accessories can create a classy autumn vibe and make your next outdoor gathering even more fun! Not sure how to get started? Take a look at these easy fall patio decoration tips.

1. Start with Some Fall Foliage

When it comes to fall decoration tips, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Classic fall foliage is the perfect way to set the mood for the change in season. Think golden cornstalks, pumpkins, gourds, and plenty of colorful mums. This is an easy way to add impactful pops of fall color to your backyard space. You can even take things up a notch by adding some life-sized scarecrows to flank either side of your patio door. 

2. Cozy Things Up

When the temperatures start to drop, there’s nothing quite like cuddling up in fuzzy blankets. You'll love the look and feel of bringing indoor comfort outdoors! Add some soft throws, a pile of pillows, and a faux sheepskin cover to your outdoor furniture. This will create a soft, cozy feeling you’ll be able to enjoy well into the colder months.

To keep your cozy décor looking and feeling its best, be sure to bring it indoors when you’re not using it or store it in a sturdy deck box. This will protect it from moisture and ensure it won't mildew or take on a funny smell.

3. Include a Pop of Plaid

You can instantly give your backyard patio a classy fall look by adding pops of plaid. Dress up your backyard loveseat by decorating it with soft plaid pillows. If you have patio chairs, you can also purchase matching plaid throws and place them over the back of each one.

The fall is a fun time to get outdoors and have a great time with the people you love hanging out with. But your fall fun doesn't have to be limited to festivals, fairs, and fishing holes: there are plenty of ways to entertain right in your own backyard.

Whether you want to have an intimate gathering with the family or a blowout party with your neighbors and friends, we have some ideas in mind. Here are our top 5 fun fall backyard activities, which can also be adapted for gatherings of any size.

Backyard Movie Night

Grab the popcorn, drinks, candy, some outdoor portable chairs, and some blankets, and turn your backyard into a movie theater! If you have a laptop and a projector, you can stream one of the latest movies onto a portable screen, a sheet, or the side of a shed. Better yet, if you have a Sojag gazebo in your backyard, you can enjoy the open air, have a roof over your head, and attach a screen to the posts or the eave of the structure. 

While a

Nothing ruins curb appeal like stray trash cans strewn about your front or side yard. No matter how much time you spend on gorgeous landscaping and outdoor décor, those pesky bins not only create a cluttered look, they can also invite unwanted guests like rodents and insects. Utilizing a garbage can storage shed is an easy way to maintain curb appeal and avoid pests in your yard. Here are some creative ways to conceal garbage and keep your lawn looking great in every season. 

Why Use a Shed for Garbage Can Storage? 

There are several reasons why a trash can shed is a solid investment for your property. The addition will provide several benefits including: 

• Keep wild animals away: If you have trash cans sitting outside of your home unsecured, chances are a wild animal could become interested in what’s inside. Animals like raccoons are notorious for scavenging through trash cans, causing a mess and even dangerous situations if they are in bad health and attack a human or a pet. Other animals like bears can also become interested in loose trash cans. Putting ammonia on trash can lids can successfully keep animals away.
• Avoid infestations: When garbage cans are left unsecured, they not only carry trash inside. Even when they’re

The pandemic ushered in brand new interest to sprucing up back yard areas, with 82% of homeowners reporting they are more interested in updating their outdoor living spaces than ever. While outdoor entertainment is on the rise, so is the need for a cozy area on your property that will make guests feel comfortable while making your space tidier and more appealing.

Why Backyard Storage Units are a Key Investment

• Protection: Whether you are protecting vehicles, gardening tools, or seasonal items, backyard storage units are an important investment in order to keep property safe from the elements as well as potential thieves. Choose reliable and durable options that hold up against Mother Nature, and you won’t have to worry about outdoor gear like a lawnmower being ruined by the rain or other inclement weather.
• Storage: Without a storage solution on property, many people resort to paying monthly for a storage unit, which on average can cost somewhere around $1,800 per year. Backyard storage units can save money in the long term to eliminate the need for storage off property.
• Convenience: It is simply more convenient to have belongings in your backyard as opposed to traveling to a storage unit to pick up them up. While it may cost more up front, the convenience is one huge reason to purchase a shed or garage.