Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Is Your Garden Suffering from this HEAT?



As real estate agents we know just how important curb appeal is. When buyers are looking for their dream home, first impressions are everything! With temperatures being so extremely high in Loudoun County over the past few weeks we have seen beautiful green grass turn into dry tumble weeds and have watched lovely flowers wilt right before our eyes! How can you protect your investment? Don’t worry! Meadows Farms Nursery, local landscaping experts, has some tips on how to protect your plants and grass:


* Watering twice a week, but deeply, so that water seeps into the ground, is more beneficial than more frequent, shallow watering. For lawns, it is recommended to provide an inch of water each week. The simplest way to measure is to set out a coffee can, or similar container to capture water from the sprinkler. If you don't water your lawn during the summer it is likely that it will go dormant and turn brown, but it should green up with more regular rains and cooler temperatures in September. Plants are less forgiving. If showing signs of stress they could be within a day or two of dying, and must be watered immediately.

* If you are planting during the summer you should water every other day for the first couple weeks, then you should be able to back off to twice a week until temperatures cool off and soaking rains return.


* The most critical watering is the one immediately after planting, and then two days later. When planting be certain to apply two to three inches of mulch to help retain moisture. Water early in the day so that evaporation is minimized. Try to avoid watering in the evening to prevent black spot, powdery mildew, and other fungal diseases, but it's better to water in the evening than not at all.


For additional tips on how to maintain the health of your yard and garden, please visit: http://meadowsfarms.com/v.php?pg=487


Looking to sell your home for Top Dollar? Contact Gina Tufano and Jennifer Johnson with Ask Gina & Company today at 703-574-3478 or info@ask-gina.com and let our expertise guide you in your home staging efforts!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

I don’t know about you, but I often come across things in my garage and wonder “How in the world do I get rid of this?” Sometimes it’s a can of rust remover while other times it’s a pesticide I used in my garden. Typically I set the product back in my garage and forget about it until the next major clean sweep…and then the cycle continues! But, I have a solution for you! On Saturday, September 11th the Loudoun County Department of Construction & Waste Management will host a household hazardous waste collection from 8:30am until 2:30pm at the Harmony Middle School in Hamilton.

What is considered hazardous waste and what will they accept? Household batteries, furniture polishes, oil-based paints and stains, and fluorescent light bulbs are just a few of the items that you can dispose of. For a complete list, and for more information, please visit: http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=3342

So clean out that garage or shed and dispose of your hazardous waste properly and safely!

Looking to buy or sell in Loudoun County? Call Gina Tufano and Jennifer Johnson of Ask Gina & Company at 703-574-3478 or email info@ask-gina.com. We have the knowledge and experience to get the job done!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Tigerlily Foundation 2nd Annual Gala


The Tigerlily Foundation will hold its Second Annual Gala on September 29th, 2010 from 6PM-9PM at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington D.C. Eun Yang, News Anchor for NBC4, will be the Mistress of Ceremonies while Representative Donna Christensen and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz will be Guests of Honor. The evening will include live entertainment, a live and silent auction, dinner, and so much more!

Come join in the Pink Masquerade theme, drink some signature cocktails, and help fight the good fight against breast cancer! For more information, please visit: http://www.tigerlilyfoundation.org/

Ask Gina & Company is a proud sponsor of the Tigerlily Foundation and has donated two tickets to those who could not otherwise attend this spectacular event!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Your Donation is Needed


The Loudoun Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore is in need of donations. Never heard of it? Then let us fill you in on a great resource here in Loudoun County! ReStore is a resale business which accepts donations of new or gently used building materials and home improvement items and then sells them to the public at 50%-90% below retail price. All proceeds benefit the Loudoun Habitat for Humanity mission of “providing adequate housing for all Loudoun citizens in need.”

What can you donate? Appliances, cabinets, countertops, tile, and plumbing fixtures just to name a few! For a complete list of items and for more information, please visit: http://www.loudounhabitat.org/restore-donate

So the next time you go to throw out that extra tile from your bathroom remodel or dispose of those kitchen cabinets you just took out, remember ReStore! Your donation is greatly appreciated and is tax deductable!

Ask Gina & Company is happy to support the Loudoun Habitat for Humanity and all of its endeavors!

Finished with your projects and now ready to list your home on the market? Call Gina Tufano and Jennifer Johnson with Ask Gina & Company at 703-574-3478 or email info@ask-gina.com.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Pizza for a Cause!



MMM…PIZZA! Everyone loves it and now you can feel GREAT about eating it! Loudoun Habitat for Humanity invites you to come with an empty stomach to Chuck E. Cheese at the Dulles Town Center on Wednesday, September 1st from 3PM-9PM to help raise funds for their organization. The restaurant will donate 15% of all register sales generated from the purchases of food, merchandise, and tokens! Be sure to tell the staff you are a friend of Habitat for Humanity and pay at the designated register for your donation to count.

Bring the kids, the neighbors, and your friends to eat Chuck E. Cheese out of house and home so Habitat for Humanity can provide homes for others!

Ask Gina & Company is proud to support our local Loudoun Habitat for Humanity (and the consumption of pizza!)

Ready to find your dream home? Call Gina Tufano and Jennifer Johnson at Ask Gina & Company at 703-574-3478 or email info@ask-gina.com. We love what we do and can’t wait to share it with you!