Author: bdowdy

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Amenities Family Fun Kyle Texas

Amenities That Make Crosswinds Shine

Everyone wants to enjoy the place they live. It’s this simple yet all-important idea that the developers behind Crosswinds took to heart when designing the master-planned community. 

 

In addition to stunning homes designed by today’s top builders, the amenities offered in Crosswinds are a big selling point for many residents when choosing where to buy. 

 

Cool Down on Hot Summer Days

 

As every Texan knows, summers in the Hill Country can be incredibly hot. While there’s no shortage of fantastic swimming holes and rivers to float down in, sometimes you just want to stay close to home. 

 

The pool and splash pad are two of the most popular community amenities during the summer months. The spacious pool is perfect for lounging on a pool float, while the nearby kiddie pool and splash pad are always a hit with the little ones. Surrounding the pool area are a number of umbrella shade covers, providing a welcome relief from the summer sun.

 

Get Active

 

The Crosswinds community was designed with features that will appeal to residents looking to get outside in nature and get active. 

 

Residents can enjoy a morning jog or after-dinner stroll on the extensive trail system that weaves its way through the community. There are also basketball and pickleball courts for anyone looking to work in a little bit of cardio, along with some friendly competition. 

 

Crosswinds’ four-legged residents will love heading to the dog park to burn off some energy. (The park also gives their owners a chance to catch up and chat and meet other members of the community.)

 

Unwind and Relax

 

Families with young children will want to take advantage of the playscape. It’s the perfect spot to allow the kiddos to meet new friends or simply have some fun after a long day at school. 

 

The grilling and picnic areas are not to be missed and are ideal for enjoying a meal outside. They’re a particularly great way to cap off a day at the pool or cook up some grub on the grill before a fall football game. 

 

Each of the resort-style amenities was carefully selected to appeal to a variety of lifestyles and reflect Crosswinds’ commitment to creating a community that’s more than simply a place to live. Whether it’s a relaxing day of hanging out by the pool or an early morning bike ride on the community trail system, the ever-expanding amenities are one of the features that make Crosswinds such an appealing place to call home. 

If you’d like to learn more and discover if Crosswinds is the exclusive community you’ve been looking for, reach out to our team today.

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Blog Family Fun

Unique New Year’s Eve Traditions from Around the World

Whereas many celebrations are limited to specific countries and cultures, welcoming in a new year is a celebration that spans around the entire globe. Here in the United States, New Year’s Eve is often celebrated with a countdown, a glass of champagne, and maybe a New Year’s kiss, but other countries have their own unique spin on ushering in January 1st. 

 

Here are some New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world that you may want to incorporate into your own festivities this year. 

 

Spain’s Grape Tradition – Spain is known, of course, for its wine, and while plenty of it is consumed on New Year’s Eve, the last 12 seconds of the year are reserved for grapes. As the countdown to a new year begins, Spaniards hurry to eat 12 green grapes. If you fail to consume them all before the clock strikes midnight, you might just have bad luck, but if you get them all down, then 12 months of good fortune awaits you. 

 

Philippines’ Round Fruits – Here’s an easy one to incorporate if you’re looking for a new New Year’s tradition. Head to your local grocery store and pick up 12 round fruits. The shape of the fruits symbolizes prosperity and wealth for each month of the new year. Not to mention all those apples, melons, grapes, and nectarines will make a wonderful table centerpiece for any celebrations you might have. 

 

Scotland’s First Footing – If you’re in Scotland, it’s especially important that you pay attention to who enters your home in the new year. Known as “first footing,” a special emphasis is placed on the first person to enter a house after midnight in the new year. A dark-haired male is the ideal first footer, as this person is said to protect against bad luck. The first footer should also not be empty-handed, as this could bring about financial misfortune. 

 

Greece Onions – In Greece, it’s a New Year’s custom to hang a bushel of onions from your door as a symbol of rebirth. The tradition goes all the way back to ancient Greece when onions were noted for their vitality, sprouting even with no care at all. The onions are typically hung on the door after attending a New Year’s Day church service to kick off the new year. 

 

Japan’s Soba Noodles – Soba noodles are a popular ingredient in Japanese ramen, and the food holds a special place on New Year’s Eve when it’s eaten just before midnight. The Toshikoshi soba, which translates to a “year-crossing,” is a buckwheat noodle with special symbolism. The especially long noodle is usually cut, signifying a letting go of any regrets from the previous year to bring about a fresh start. 

 

Colombia’s 3 Potatoes – It’s customary in the South American country to place three potatoes – one peeled, one unpeeled, and one half peeled – under your bed on New Year’s Eve. Then, at midnight, you pull out the first potato you touch. A peeled potato means financial woes, an unpeeled spud means abundance and a half-peeled tater means a mix of both. 

However you celebrate the new year, nothing beats ringing in 2025 in a home that you love. If you’re looking to settle into your dream home, contact the Crosswinds team today to learn more about our available inventory of homes.

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Blog Family Fun

Sip into the Season: Festive Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes!

The holiday season is, without a doubt, the most delicious time of the year, and when it comes to drinks, the possibilities are nearly endless. From sour to sweet, tart to zesty, consider trying out these cocktail and mocktail holiday libations to put an extra bit of jolly in your step. 

 

Cocktails

 

Cranberry Mimosas – Nicknamed the Poinsettia cocktail after the holiday flower, this libation is perfect for a Christmas morning brunch. The cranberries add a tartness that compliments the champagne perfectly with just a hint of sweetness. 

 

  • 1 lime, halved
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar
  • 8 ounces of sweetened cranberry juice
  • 1 bottle champagne
  • 12 fresh cranberries
  • 4 small sprigs fresh rosemary

 

Sugar Plum Fairy Cocktail – If you’re looking to put a little holiday magic in your cup, this Nutcracker-themed martini should do the trick. It’s perfect for a holiday party with some glitz that’s refined but still fun. 

 

  • 2 ounces gin
  • 1 ounce plum simple syrup
  • 1/2 ounce lemon or grapefruit juice
  • 1 egg white 

 

Spiced Apple Cider Mule – Moscow Mules are a classic cocktail, but the vodka-based drink easily adapts to a holiday beverage that is perfect for sipping in front of a roaring fire on a chilly December night. 

 

  • 4 ounces warm apple cider
  • ½ ounce simple syrup
  • 1 ounce lime juice1 
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 4 ounces of ginger beer
  • cinnamon stick for garnish

 

Mocktails

 

Holiday Berry Fizz – Perfect for the kiddos or anybody who simply wants to skip on the booze, this sweet sip makes an ideal after-dinner seasonal treat. 

 

  • 1 10-ounce bag sliced frozen strawberries, defrosted
  • 2 Tbsp of honey
  • 1 8-ounce bag of frozen blueberries, defrosted
  • 4 ounces of ginger beer
  • 1 bottle of sparkling white grape juice

 

Gingerbread Mocktail – Now, if you’re in need of a dessert in a glass, this soon-to-be classic mocktail takes the iconic holiday gingerbread house and adapts it into a drink that taps into holiday memories of Christmas past. 

 

  • 2 Tbsp orange juice
  • 1 tsp molasses 
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ginger
  • pinch nutmeg
  • pinch of cloves
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 4 ounces of ginger beer

 

Citrus Sparkler – This crisp beverage is perfect for laying around the house after the kiddos have opened presents and you need a little bit of vitamin C to balance out that second cup of coffee.

 

  • 2 Tbsp orange zest
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup hot water
  • (Let sit overnight to make orange simple syrup)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup tangerine juice
  • ½ club soda
  • lime slice for garnish

Whether it’s entertaining for a holiday happy hour or making mocktails for your crew at breakfast, nothing beats spending the holidays in a home you love. If you’d like to learn more about the available inventory in the Crosswinds community, reach out to our team today.

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Blog Family Fun

Jingle All the Way: Tips For Hosting a Virtual Holiday Gathering

Nothing beats getting together with friends and family to celebrate the holiday season, but gathering together in person isn’t always possible due to work schedules, distance, or any number of factors. 

 

Thanks to the wonders of technology, virtual gatherings allow people on entirely different continents to spend time together. 

 

Here are a few tips for hosting a virtual holiday gathering that won’t have you saying “bah humbug.”

 

Set a Date

 

Like any get-together, the success of a virtual holiday gathering is dependent, first and foremost, on an agreed time and date. The host of the party should pick a party date and send out a Zoom link to all invited, preferably a few days in advance. 

 

Okay, now that the mandatory stuff is out of the way, it’s time to focus on the fun part of the party planning!

 

Make it Fun

 

A Zoom meet-up over the holidays should never be boring. From bingo to ugly sweaters and cookie decorating, creating some virtual Christmas magic just requires a little creativity. 

 

Ugly Sweater Party – People like to dress up during the holidays, even if that means putting on a sweater they wouldn’t normally be caught dead in. This classic holiday party works fantastic on a virtual level, as there’s a level of anticipation that builds with each new person who logs in. 

 

Take things up a notch and challenge your guests to contend for the ugliest holiday sweater, with a secret prize going to the winner. 

 

Keep Things Crafty – Put together a holiday craft kit ahead of time that you can send out to each invited party guest. (If you have a large number of guests or a tight budget, then you may want to send out a list of supplies your guests can purchase themselves ahead of time.)

 

You’ll want to keep the craft ideas relatively simple for those guests who haven’t used a bottle of glue since elementary school. This idea not only allows guests to get a little creative, but gives them a keepsake to cherish as well. 

 

Holiday Games – Games and holiday parties go together like Santa and cookies. A classic game is Christmas bingo. You’ll want to distribute a bingo card to each guest with their invite. Players then check off the various boxes as the virtual holiday party progresses. 

 

If your crew is more of a trivia bunch, then games like “Name That Christmas Tune” could be a hit. Have one party guest act as the DJ playing a holiday song, with party guests chiming in to see who can name the song the quickest. 

 

Cook Something Up – Food is a must for any party, especially around the holidays. A cookie decorating party is great fun, as everyone loves the smell of freshly baked cookies. If you know your guests are regular bakers, then supply everyone with a recipe ahead of time they can bake together. 

 

If not everyone is a baking champion in training, then going the slice-and-bake route with a few cans of frosting and sprinkles is still a winning recipe for a delicious time. 

Whether hosting a party in-person or virtually, sharing a home you love with others is always a blessing. If you’d like to learn more about the available inventory of homes in the Crosswinds community, contact us today.

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Area Attractions Blog Kyle Texas

Bite into Bliss: Best Burgers in Kyle, Texas

When it comes to a good bite, it’s hard to beat a solid burger. If you’re in the mood for a burger that won’t disappoint, check out these local burger joints. 

 

Big Rob’s (15 min drive) – Some folks like sliders, while others want a burger that challenges the limits of the human jaw. If you’re in the latter camp, then this is the burger joint to visit. Big Rob’s does not skimp on the “big” part of the name and serves up burgers that customers often need a knife and fork to tackle. 

 

The restaurant offers a range of burgers with names like El Jefe (a triple cheeseburger) and Rise N Shine (a half-pounder topped with a fried egg and bacon), along with patty melts, chicken sandwiches, and of course, baskets of tots and fries. 

 

Sharks Burger (6 min drive) – We can’t confirm if Sharks Burger is in a battle with Big Rob’s for the biggest burgers in Kyle, but it wouldn’t surprise us. With burgers like the Great White (two patties and white cheddar cheese) and the Beyond Burger (Beyond Meat patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, on a brioche bun), this is a restaurant ready to take a bite out of any appetite. 

 

While the burger joint is housed in the Valero gas station, don’t be put off by the location. Sharks Burger uses only high-quality ingredients, and based on customer reviews, it’s quickly becoming a local favorite. 

 

Willies Grill & Ice House (7 min drive) This local spot is the perfect place to grab a few drinks with friends after work or swing by for some good grub on game day. It also has a menu that offers something for everyone with customer favorites like chicken fried steak, nachos, strawberry pecan salad – even gumbo. 

 

Of course, we’d be remiss, not to mention the burgers. Willies has six different burgers on the menu, each weighing in at a hefty half-pound. Whether you opt for a turkey patty or beef, cheddar or Monterey jack cheese, bacon, or mushrooms, be sure to also order up the perfect sidekick – hand-breaded onion rings or fried pickles. 

 

Mighty Fine Burgers (7 min drive) – Mighty Fine Burgers puts its money where its mouth is, using 100% fresh, all-natural Angus beef that is ground on-site and hand-formed right in front of the customer. The result is a burger that is everything a classic American burger should be – simple and delicious. 

 

Mighty Fine Burgers come in two sizes, half and quarter pounds, and are served with lettuce, diced onion, tomatoes, and pickles. If you’re not in a burger mood (or are just super hungry), the menu also offers hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and a fried avocado BLT! Finish the meal off with a hand-dipped milkshake and thank us later. 

 

Flamin Burger (15 min drive) – This local burger joint keeps things simple, but that’s a good thing. Customers have three burger sizes to choose from: Inferno (single patty), Blazin (double patty), and Scorchin (triple patty). Customers say the burgers are “charred to perfection,” and an order of the zesty firecracker fries dipped in the Magic Sauce is the perfect way to round out the meal. 

 

In a day and age where eating out is getting more and more expensive, kudos are due to Flamin Burger for keeping the single patty Inferno incredibly affordable at just $5. With such a cheap burger, don’t be surprised if you still have money left in your wallet to splurge on one of the shakes for dessert. 

One of the best things about the Crosswinds community is its convenient access to so many great restaurants. If you’re looking for a new home, reach out to our team today.

Categories
Blog Design Homeowner Tips

Transform Your Space: Bold Accent Wall Ideas

Accent walls are a creative way to give a room a unique vibe that makes a bold statement. Here are a few ways to turn a not-so-impressive wall into a centerpiece that grabs the attention of the entire room. 

 

Pops of Color – The idea behind any good accent wall is to act as the room’s focal point, and nothing draws the eye away from three bland walls like a wall that has a pop of color. 

 

When deciding on the accent wall, pick a wall with purpose. The eye should be drawn to it as soon as you enter the room. Choose your color carefully, too, as the color in space impacts mood. If the other three walls are a darker color, then go for a lighter accent wall, and choose a darker color if the other walls are on the lighter side. 

 

Create a Gallery Wall – The art gallery is a classic accent wall idea and functions as the perfect showcase for a person’s personality and creativity. Before you start hammering nails into the wall, consider these tips to create a gallery wall that is cohesive. 

 

  • Begin with a large piece of art to act as an anchor for the wall.
  • Aim for a mix of horizontal and vertical frames to keep things interesting.
  • Mix up your frame colors and styles.
  • Don’t be afraid to blend art styles. An oil landscape painting can live harmoniously beside a framed drawing from your kid.

 

Create a Photo Album Wall – Family photo walls are a great way to display family moments and add a personal touch to the home. Similar to an art gallery wall, a mix of picture sizes and frame styles can work incredibly well, yet photo album walls are a bit more forgiving if you do want all your frames to be the same size and style. 

 

Black and white photo album walls add a classic touch, but color photos are equally as appealing. Even something as simple as draping a ribbon across a wall and using clothespins to hang polaroids can create a playful photo wall with minimal cost. 

 

Wallpaper – Wallpaper trends come and go (which can be frustrating if you’ve ever tried to remove it), but if you’re curious about it and don’t want to commit to a full room, an accent wall is a perfect compromise. 

 

Using wallpaper for an accent wall creates a striking focal point that adds depth, personality, and visual interest to any room. Peel and stick versions of wallpaper are available in thousands of styles and are easy to apply. 

 

Shelving and Lighting – If space is a commodity, then creating an accent wall with shelving is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. Floating shelves create visual appeal and add an element of storage space to a room. They can also be a fun way to showcase anything from art to family photos, memorabilia, or house plants. 

 

Similarly, wall lights are a wonderful way to completely transform a room and compliment the space’s design or furnishings. 

 

A home should be more than just a place where you live, but is an expression of who you are.

If you’re in search of your dream home, contact the Crosswinds team today.

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Amenities Blog Lifestyle Tips

Holiday Hustle: Staying Healthy During the Holiday Season

Whether it’s traveling, figuring out a shopping budget, planning big meals, or keeping the peace at family gatherings, the holiday hustle can be exhausting. 

 

Here are a few ways to stay merry and bright throughout the holiday season. 

 

Don’t Skip on Exercise

 

Many people tend to hit pause on the gym come Thanksgiving and vow to start exercising again after New Year’s. This is a mistake. 

 

Making time for regular exercise (at least 2-3 days a week) will help you stay healthy during the holidays in a number of ways. 

 

  • Reduces stress
  • Provides an energy boost
  • Strengthens your immune system
  • Can prevent weight gain 

 

Nobody wants to end the year sick, tired, and feeling like they put on unwanted weight, so get in some cardio!

 

Travel Smart

 

Travel during the holidays can be especially tiring, and with so many people passing through airports and roadside travel centers, it’s especially easy to pick up a bug. 

 

A key tip to avoid getting sick is to follow the advice of your kindergarten teacher and wash your hands. Always wash them after using a public restroom, preparing to eat a meal, or after passing through a baggage checkpoint. (Keeping hand sanitizer on you isn’t a bad idea either.)

 

If you have a compromised immune system or are getting over an illness, masking up when passing through airports, subways, or crowded areas is also a good precaution. 

 

Hydration is Key

 

Speaking of travel, flying naturally dehydrates the body, so make a point to drink lots of water. Even if you’re not traveling for the holidays, drinking plenty of water is still good. People tend to eat more sugar and salt during the holiday season, and drinking water will help to keep your body hydrated. 

 

It’s also wise to drink at least one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you have. This will go a long way in preventing that dreaded holiday office party hangover. 

 

Healthy Eating 

 

Perhaps no other time of year is full of mouthwatering treats and recipes than the holiday season. It’s no secret that many holiday dishes are full of calories, and those calories can quickly add up.

 

You don’t need to forgo pie and stuffing completely, but simple holiday healthy eating tips like doubling up on veggies, skipping seconds, and not shopping on an empty stomach can go a long way in keeping extra weight off. 

 

And if you’re in charge of the cooking, opting for healthier versions of holiday dishes will help balance out the extra plate of cookies. 

 

Manage Holiday Stress

 

The holidays can be stressful even for those who seemingly have nerves of steel. Recognizing what causes that holiday stress is the key to managing it. If you feel like you “have to do everything,” then taking on less and saying “no” more often can take extra pressure off your plate. 

 

If relatives are a source of stress, then it’s important to set boundaries. As the saying goes, “You can’t change how others act, but you can determine how you respond.”

The holidays are a wonderful time and enjoying them in a home you love makes the festivities even more special. If you’re looking for your dream home, contact our team to learn more about the master-planned Crosswinds community.

Categories
Blog Family Fun

Kid-Friendly Crafts for Fall Fun!

Whether you’re looking to get crafty with natural materials or simply be inspired by nature, here are some fun ways for kiddos to tap into their creativity this fall. 

 

Painted Pumpkins

 

Carving pumpkins is a lot of fun, but it can also be incredibly messy, and with small children, mom or dad generally end up doing 95% of the pumpkin carving. Painting pumpkins is a great alternative that is pumpkin gut-free and no sharp carving tools required!

 

Painting a goofy or spooky face is always a classic, but the range of pumpkin painting ideas is nearly endless. Older kids may do better with acrylic paint, but for the littles, keep things easy and opt for washable paint. 

 

Leaf Turkeys

 

Making a leaf turkey is a simple craft that children of all ages enjoy and can be done with just a few inexpensive materials. You’ll need some brown and orange construction paper for the turkey’s body and beak, a pair of googly eyes, scissors, and glue. 

 

This is a good project once the leaves start turning colors since you’ll want to head into the yard to grab around a dozen leaves for the turkey’s feathers. 

 

Thanksgiving Cards

 

Nurturing gratitude in kids is important for helping them grow into healthy adults, and everyone loves getting a hand-written card. 

 

It doesn’t have to be something elaborate. Your child could draw a festive picture, the favorite activity of the person they’re giving the card to, or simply write a message expressing gratitude for this person in their life. The important thing is helping kids to recognize and express thanks to friends and family. 

 

Leaf Rubbings

 

Leaf rubbings are a super easy craft… and one more way to make use of all those leaves that have fallen in the yard. 

 

You’ll need: 

  • Crayons
  • White paper
  • Leaves of various shapes and sizes

 

Peel the paper off your crayons and place the paper over your leaves. You can either do each leaf individually or arrange them in a pattern. 

 

Hold the crayon sideways and gently rub it over the paper area on top of the leaf to reveal the leaf’s texture underneath. 

 

Thanksgiving Table Art

 

Most people don’t have the chops or time to go all out Martha Stewart style when it comes to making a Thanksgiving table centerpiece. Getting your kids involved in the decorating is a great way to keep them busy while they’re home from school and, hopefully, free you up to focus on the meal. 

 

Here are a few easy craft ideas for kids that double as table art:

 

  • Have kids paint funny faces and glue paper feathers on gourds and baby pumpkins to create mini turkeys
  • Fill soda bottles with colorful popcorn kernels or dried beans and use them as candle holders
  • Gather up colorful leaves and have kids place them between two sticky pieces of contact paper to make placemats
  • Use some paint, construction paper, and cardboard rings to make festive napkin rings for the big meal. 

 

These craft ideas will not only keep your crew busy and having fun but give your home a festive touch of fall. 

To learn more about the Crosswinds master-planned community and available inventory of homes, contact our team today.

Categories
Blog Family Fun Lifestyle Tips

Mastering Meal Prep: Time-Saving Strategies for Busy Families

Families are busier than ever, but thankfully, meal prep is one area of life where a few time-saving strategies can make all the difference. 

 

Make a Meal Plan

 

The first step to any good meal plan is creating a master list of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) that you know your family will actually eat. You’ll want to be sure and mix in enough variety so that your family members aren’t rolling their eyes by week three. 

 

From there, you’ll need to decide on what meals you plan on cooking that week and take inventory of what’s already in the kitchen before you head to the grocery store. You’ll want to do this around the same day each week to get in the habit of making this part of the weekly routine. 

 

Freezer Meals for Busy Days

 

Even with a good meal plan, there are probably going to be those days when, by 9 AM, it’s obvious that there’s not going to be enough time in the day to cook a full meal. This is where the freezer meal backup plan comes in. 

 

You’ll want to carve out some time in your schedule when you know you can make an extra meal that you can put in the freezer for those super busy days. How many you want to keep on deck is up to you (and how big your freezer is), but two or three never hurts. 

 

Some meals freeze better than others, so be sure to pick recipes that thaw well. Stews and casseroles are usually a safe bet. 

 

Simplify Recipes

 

Everyone likes a home-cooked meal made from scratch. The problem is that “from scratch” can be very time-consuming. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to simplify many classic recipes and still deliver a delicious meal the family will love. 

 

Here are a few simple ways to take some of the work out of recipes:

 

  • Opt for canned veggies over fresh
  • Buy frozen or pre-sliced veggies
  • Ask your grocery butcher to slice the meat you’d like to buy
  • Invest in an Instant Pot or Crock Pot
  • Instead of slicing garlic or ginger, buy the already-minced version
  • Toss your meats and veggies on a baking sheet for an easy sheet pan dinner
  • Make use of a preheating oven for roasting veggies that aren’t as sensitive to a fully heated oven

 

Involve the Family

 

There’s no reason not to get the entire family involved if they’re going to be eating the food, too. (Okay, babies and toddlers might be more trouble in the kitchen than help, but everyone else…) Bringing in the entire family to help with some aspect of the meal prep can take part of the load off your shoulders and will also help children be more confident and independent in the kitchen. 

 

Even if it’s something as simple as grabbing a box of pasta from the pantry, dumping in a can of corn, or stirring a pot of chicken noodle soup, kids (and spouses) will gradually feel more comfortable and probably even enjoy helping with meal prep. 

A well-designed and functional kitchen can make all the difference when it comes to meal prep. To learn more about the amenities and floor plans of the homes in the Crosswinds community, contact our team today.

Categories
Blog Homeowner Tips

Autumn Essentials: Leaf Maintenance Tips

As the leaves begin to fall from the trees, it’s important for homeowners to spend some time cleaning up for a healthy yard come spring. 

 

Here are a few autumn essentials when it comes to keeping your yard looking good. 

 

The Right Tools for the Job

 

Whether it’s spring clean-up, summer maintenance, or fall prep, having the right yard tools for the job makes all the difference. When it comes to fall yard work, there’s one tool that is an absolute must – a rake. In regards to rakes, the old adage “bigger is better” applies. A rake with a larger spread will allow you to grab more leaves with each stroke. Chances are that your local hardware store will have a variety to choose from. 

 

Another popular fall yard tool is the leaf blower. Leaf blowers tend to come in both electrical, battery-operated, and gas-powered varieties. Because they can be loud and kick up a lot of dust, it’s a good idea to wear both ear protection and a dust respirator to guard your ears and lungs. 

 

Rake Like a Pro

 

If you have a lot of trees on your property then you’re going to want to use some strategy with your leaf raking. Rather than filling up 20 or 30 giant garbage bags with leaves, consider using a Bagster or a large tarp. This will allow you to easily drag the leaves to the curb or your compost pile for fresh garden compost in the spring. Work smarter, not harder, as the saying goes. 

 

The Final Mow

 

Before you retire your mower to the shed for the winter, be sure to give your lawn one final mow. You’ll want to wait until nearly all of the leaves have fallen off the trees, you’re finished raking, and your grass goes dormant. This typically happens around late November or early December. 

 

Set your mower height a bit lower than you normally would in the summer – around 2.5–3 inches. This height won’t weaken the root system and will help the nutrients from leaf decomposition better get into the soil. 

 

Don’t Neglect the Roof

 

It’s not just the lawn that needs some leaf maintenance in the fall; your gutters and roof will probably need some attention, too. Leaves that remain on a roof can trap water and contribute to ice that leads to roof deterioration. It’s a good idea to blow the leaves off the roof (or hire somebody if you don’t like heights) once they’ve fallen from the trees. 

 

The same goes for gutters, too. They should be cleaned out of leaves and twigs to allow the water to flow out of the gutters without blockage during winter months. 

 

Prune and Trim

 

Last but not least, you may want to prune any out-of-control or dead tree branches once the leaves have fallen off. Especially if they hang over your house. Fallen tree branches due to strong storm winds can do serious damage to a roof, and the best defense against costly roof repairs is a good offense. 

A good-looking yard can make a beautiful home look that much better. If you’re in the market for a new home, reach out to us to learn more about the master-planned Crosswinds community.

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