The Benefits of Vinyl Fencing

Vinyl fencing is now the most popular form of residential fencing sold, with sales steadily increasing every year. While vinyl has been used as a fencing material for decades, it's only been in the last fifteen years that it has really soared in popularity. This is because the materials, construction and options have all improved dramatically with innovations in design and manufacturing.

Today's vinyl fencing has plenty of benefits over traditional wood fencing that makes it a fantastic investment for any homeowner. Manufacturers now offer options like more realistic textures that mimic wood grain, a variety of colors far beyond the original white and special vinyl polymers that resist fading or yellowing. The benefits of owning a vinyl fence include:

Virtually no upkeep. Once you install vinyl fencing, you don't have to worry about scraping, painting or staining ever again. The color of the vinyl goes all the way through, so it doesn't wear off or flake away when exposed to the elements. You can install it and forget it, except for enjoying its beauty. It's also easy to repair in the rare instance that something does happen. If a vinyl post cap comes loose or is stolen, you simply order a new one and snap it into place. It's so simple, and every vinyl post cap in your fence style will fit because they are made to exacting specifications.

Vinyl fencing improves resale value of your home. Home buyers love the look of a traditional wood fence, but many shy away from the prospect of having to take care of one. Most people simply don't have the time to scrape and paint every year and don't have the skills to do extensive repairs. They see a wooden fence as an expensive, time-consuming project. Vinyl fencing, however, is seen as an attractive, maintenance-free feature that they can enjoy for years - and they will be willing to pay for it.

Home Owner's Associations prefer vinyl fencing. Home Owner's Associations have lots of rules and regulations covering everything from what color you paint your house to what type of landscaping is acceptable. More and more of them are also demanding high quality vinyl fences for homeowners' property in order to maintain a well-groomed appearance. Wooden fencing is increasingly restricted because many people simply get tired of taking care of them and they become eyesores in the community.

Vinyl fencing is safer. If you want to surround a play area, pool or spa, nothing is stronger or safer than vinyl. It is much stronger than wood, yet it is smoother and has more give so that there is less chance of injury. You can choose from a wide variety of vinyl post caps that are smooth-edged with rounded or curved tops to minimize possible injury as well.

You protect the environment. Vinyl fencing doesn't use precious natural resources such as hardwood trees that take years to re-grow. You prevent deforestation and contribute to protecting the environment by opting for vinyl fencing, some of which is made from recycled materials.

Vinyl fencing is a short-term investment that has numerous long-term advantages over wood fencing. It is attractive, durable and low-maintenance and will give you many more years of enjoyment than any wood fence ever could. With so many attractive styles and colors now available, the choice is simple.

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Tony King is a contributing author for USA Vinyl. USA Vinyl only uses top quality 100% Virgin materials in everything you see and touch. USAVinyl utilizes high quality acrylic and vinyl materials (not from secondary markets) in the substrate. Visit USA Vinyl.com today!

Sowing Cole Crops & Other March Gardening Tips

Sowing cole crops, forcing pussy willow twigs indoors, and fertilizing houseplants are some of the gardening tips for this month.

Cole crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, can be started over the next couple of weeks indoors under lights. These cool-loving crops will grow six weeks indoors before being transplanted outdoors two weeks before your last frost date. Keep seedlings moist and well fed to get the sturdiest transplants.

In the next few weeks pussy willow buds will begin swelling, so go on a scavenger hunt for them in wet areas. Take two-foot cuttings from the bush, trying not to deform it by taking too many cuttings in one location. Bring them indoors and place them in water in a cool room.

Now that the days are getting longer, your houseplants will be resuming vigorous growth, so begin fertilizing with a soluble fertilizer. A seaweed or fish emulsion blend is a good choice -- but look for one labeled as "no odor" to avoid the usual pungent smell. You can fertilize monthly at the label’s recommended rate, or fertilize every time you water using one quarter-strength.

Check seed packets for recommendations, then plot out planting times for seeds you'll be starting indoors. Don't try to get a jump on the season by planting earlier; larger plants are more easily stunted than smaller ones and won't necessarily grow faster once they're transplanted outdoors.

If you left your ornamental grasses intact last fall, you can go ahead and prune them back to a height of about 6 inches. If you remove the old growth before new growth starts, you won't risk damaging new sprouts. Add prunings to the compost pile.

Spray horticultural oil on fruit trees, such as apples, plums, and cherries, to smother any overwintering insects. Choose a calm day when temperatures are above 40 degrees F, and be sure to cover all sides of the branches. You can also apply it to evergreens to control spider
mites and other insects. Carefully follow the instructions on the label for proper usage and plants.

Cold frames are handy for hardening off seedlings. You can make a simple cold frame by placing hay bales along the perimeter of a rectangle, and placing old windows or a glass storm door over the top. Purchased cold frames are convenient, and some have thermostatically- controlled tops
that open automatically when the temperature inside hits a designated point. Since the midday sun can heat a closed cold frame up quickly, this feature is especially handy if you're away for long stretches during the day.

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Leonard P. Perry - Checked out Perry’s Perennial Pages lately? www.uvm.edu/~pass/perry