Do you dream of a world where your dog can roam free? A world where your furry friend can run and play while you work in the garden? A world that doesn’t wind up with rows and rows of dug up flowerbeds?

Gardening with pets is a rewarding experience, but it takes a practiced hand to succeed. Transform the way you garden with these tips from Ace of Gray on how to garden with your dog.

Gardening with Dogs

1. Keep your pet safe. Before you consider protecting your flowerbeds, it’s time to consider the real danger of gardening with pets: that your dog will wind up sick. Dogs love to explore, so pet owners must take extra precautions before gardening with these curious creatures. When designing your landscape, pick plants that aren’t poisonous to animals. Instead of using chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides, protect your pooch by going organic. Cocoa mulch, just like chocolate, is also hazardous to dogs’ health.
2. Protect your plants. What’s the easiest way to stop your dog from digging in the backyard? Teach him not to! The younger you start, the better. If you’re stuck trying to teach an old dog new tricks, don’t be afraid to use a fence, a kennel, or a closed-in porch until the lesson sticks.
3. Keep your dog entertained. When do pets get into the most trouble? When they’re bored. Minimize boredom (and destroyed perennials) by keeping a few dog toys on hand. Play a round of frisbee between gardening tasks or simply let your pet play with his favorite chew toy.
4. Be prepared. The key to a successful day outdoors is always preparation. To prep the garden for puppy play, don’t forget to store sharp landscaping equipment, supply your pet with a bowl of fresh water, and be on the lookout for dog allergy flare ups (they get them, too!).

Ready to garden? Stop by Ace of Gray for everything you and your pup will need for your next landscaping project.

Dog Image Source

Do you love the laid-back, fun-focused atmosphere of a backyard cookout? Enjoy experimenting with flavored wood chips and steak rubs on a Saturday afternoon? Then you’ll love the immersive experience of Ace of Gray’s Heart of Georgia Eggfest!

Eggheads Unite!

Big Green Egg enthusiasts from across our great state are coming together for a morning of festive fun and friendly competition. The Ultimate Cooking Experience allows our expert Egg cooks to show off their talents and share great food. Sample BBQ and beef, fresh pizza, and baked desserts, all cooked fresh on a Big Green Egg. Mingle with hundreds of other Eggheads, share your favorite grill recipes, and save big with sweet deals on Green Eggs and other grilling products. Want to get the full experience? Show up between 10am and 11am to treat your tastebuds to a full range of savory flavors and sweet treats.

Show Off Your Skills

Do folks talk about your smoked sensations for weeks after every cookout? You may have what it takes to be an Eggfest Chef! We’re firing up the Eggs early Saturday morning to give each chef an opportunity to cook fresh samples all day. We request Egg Chefs prepare at least 100 bite sized samples for our tasters. Bring your own Eggcessories and cooking supplies. Ace of Gray will provide a table, two chairs, and a trashcan for each chef station.

EggFest Demo Package

Ready to buy? Purchase an EggFest Demo Egg before the event, watch our expert cooks break it in with a tasty meal, and take it home at the end of the day. The EggFest package includes a full warranty and accessories like the rolling nest and place setter. Available in sizes Large and X-Large. EggChefs get special discounts on grill accessories like the:

• V-rack
• Vertical Roaster
• Drip Pan
• Grill Extender
• Pizza Stone

Are You the Grill Master?

3 all-star chefs will receive special prizes from Ace of Gray’s celebrity judges.

• First prize: $500 Ace of Gray gift card
• Second prize: Tan Yeti 45 (a $349 dollar value)
• Third prize: Costa Sunglasses ($170-$220)

It’s time to show off your chops! Don’t miss the Heart of Georgia Eggfest on Saturday, August 29th.

Photo from Flickr

The 4th of July has come and gone, leaving thousands of Americans hoping for another excuse to get together, cookout, and celebrate summer. Outdoor entertaining is a summertime staple, bringing friends and neighbors together for sun-filled fun. Become an outdoor entertaining expert overnight with these tips from Ace of Gray.

5 Tips for Summer Entertaining

1. Whether you’re hosting a cookout, a garden party, or an elegant dinner on the porch, cleanup is key to an effortless evening. In the days leading up to your big event, make sure to mow the lawn, clean up weeds and organic debris, and hose down the patio furniture.
2. Plan a few party games (cornhole is a proven winner) in case conversation starts flagging (or gets get too rambunctious).
3. Set the stage. Before guests arrive, arrange the china and cutlery (personally, we prefer plastic for easy cleanup), get extra chairs out of storage, and arrange bug-repellant candles or torches around the entertaining area.
4. Wow friends with garden fresh dishes. Pluck veggies from the garden for a flavorful side, cook produce-rich dishes like margherita pizza, and add a spruce of fresh mint to summer cocktails to achieve that “effortlessly elegant entertaining” aesthetic.
5. Remember to have fun. All the planning in the world can still go awry if the guests sense a stressed atmosphere. Play the helpful host, but don’t be afraid to kick back and relax with your friends. In the end, people would rather hunt down a refill than spend the evening “just missing” the host.

Visit Ace of Gray to stock your outdoor living area with weather-resistant furniture, outdoor home decor, great grill gear, and party supplies.

Outdoor Entertaining Image from Flickr

Unless they’re selling their homes, most Gray residents don’t step back and think, “how can I add curb appeal to my property?” Longtime homeowners tend to take projects in steps – updating a flowerbed here, repainting a fence there – without truly considering a cohesive design. But curb appeal is about more than selling your home. Curb appeal allows homeowners to welcome friends and neighbors to a little slice of their life before they ever step through the front door.

5 Ways to Add Summer Curb Appeal

1. Think big picture. Instead of adding a new perennial to a pot on the front porch, take a step back and consider which areas of the yard are bare, overfull, or discordant with the overall landscape.
2. Fix it up. Does your porch need repainting? Have your shrubs become straggly and overgrown? Is your mailbox on its last legs? Before digging into the fun parts of updating the landscape, attack the problem areas. Repaint, prune, and fix any hardscape elements in disrepair.
3. Add some color. There’s no quicker way to update a lackluster yard than to brighten it up. Repaint the front door in a bold hue, hang colorful birdhouses from stately shade trees, or plant pops of color along the sidewalk. Just be careful not to over-color the landscape. Remember: If you wouldn’t wear two colors together, they don’t belong in the same garden.
4. Consider the season. Have you fallen in love with begonias? Snatch them up from the Ace of Gray Garden Center. But don’t stock your garden with only spring and summer blooms, or the landscape that looks lush in June will seem bare and bedraggled come October.
5. Hardscape. Flowering shrubs and summer perennials aren’t the only ways to update your outdoor space. Add year-round visual interest with stone pathways, wrought-iron benches, birdbaths, and tasteful lawn ornaments.

Visit Ace Hardware in Gray for all your outdoor home improvement needs.

Fence Image Source

There’s an irresistible charm about the Southern way of life that leaves folks from far-off starstruck. Our passionate love affair with all things classic, our “the more the merrier” style of entertaining, and our fervor for football create a culture that’s impossible to recreate. Make Mama proud by checking these tips for creating a quintessential Southern home off your summer to-do list.

5 Commandments for Creating a Southern Home

1. Bigger is always better. After all, if you choose the smaller home, the smaller porch, or the smaller pool, where in the world will you put all the grandbabies?
2. You can always make more room. Larger spaces aside, no matter how many guest rooms you have, you can never turn down company. Cozy couches, air mattresses from storage, or cuddling 3-to-a-bed are easy solutions when your summer reunion winds up with a few more guests than intended.
3. Fit in. You don’t want to be those people, redoing the roof in a style that clashes with your neighbor’s homes. Sometimes blending in is better for everyone (trust us, your property value will thank you for it).
4. But don’t be afraid to stand out. It’s your home, after all. Decorate the door with a collegiate burlee, break out your grandmother’s hand-crafted rocker for the porch, and don’t be afraid to hang curtains that pop.
5. See the beauty in everything. Whether it’s a rugged backyard, a faded old quilt, or a front porch with cracked and peeling paint, every element of the Southern home has both natural beauty and room for improvement. Determine which unique home elements you want to keep, which to renovate, and which ones need replacing altogether.

Need help updating your home? Ace of Gray has home decor, renovation materials, and expert home improvement tips every time you stop by.

Welcome Mat Image from Flickr

Camping out is one of those staple summertime activities that kids will remember for a lifetime. Whether your family’s version of The Great Outdoors means hiking the southern leg of the Appalachian Trail or setting up a tent in the backyard, Ace of Gray has the camping gear you’ll need to make your next adventure a success.

Camping Gear

You’ve got your tent, your sleeping bags, and the foldable deer blind so your kids can playact at hunting. What’s missing? Depending on the length of your camping trip, there are a hundred little items you may need for the trip. Stop by Ace of Gray’s camping section for:

• Tarp
• Rope
• Bug nets and bug spray
• Lanterns and flashlights
• Backpacks
• Firestarters
• First aid kits
• Sunscreen
• Rain gear
• Binoculars
• Games and toys for kids
• and camping tips from the pros!

Outdoor Clothing and Hiking Boots

Does your family love exploring the world beyond your backyard? Make sure you’re prepared with all the best gear for your excursion. Stock up on comfortable hiking boots and moisture-wicking socks, sturdy hats to keep the sun off your face, and Costa del Mar sunglasses to protect your eyes and keep you looking cool. If you’re planning an overnight adventure, grab a lightweight windbreaker in case the weather turns foul. We stock a full range of hiking boots and outdoor clothing for adults and kids in Gray.

Food Supplies

What’s the one camping essential (besides a tent)? Dinner! Keep the kids happy with s’mores while you grill up freshly caught fish or unwrap freshly bought hot dogs. Just don’t forget the food-related camping essentials on your next trip.

• A stocked Yeti cooler for backyard sleepovers and trips to the local camping ground
• A backpack filled with nonperishables for hardcore hiking trips
• Fuel and firestarters
• Pots, pans, and cutlery
• Instant coffee (or a camp-friendly coffee maker)
• Marshmallow sticks
• Aluminum foil and tupperwear
• Paper plates and plastic utensils
• Plastic bags for cleanup
• and anything else that makes the camping experience better!

Ready to rough it? Get your camping supplies at Ace Hardware in Gray.

Camping Image from Flickr

Dads love a great deal almost as much as a great grill. Ace of Gray is making it easy to treat dad to his favorite things this Father’s Day. Instead of getting the man in your life another tie this year, thank him for years of love and support by getting him something special. Our Outdoor Living Center has great deals on grills and grilling accessories now through Father’s Day.

Father’s Day Discounts

Did your dad dust off the grill this year, only to realize it’s been a long time since his last big splurge? If your husband’s grill is on its last legs, surprise him with something special. Ace of Gray is offering 25% off all Louisiana Grills and Products from now until Father’s Day. Put hearty flavor in your summer cook-outs with this quality wood pellet smoker. Is your husband a Traeger man? Get up to $100 in rebates when you purchase a Traeger Pellet Grill.

The Big Green Egg Package

Don’t choose between the basics and the fun stuff this year. Get it all with a Big Green Egg deal for Father’s Day. Our Ultimate Package lets you save big on everything your man will need for a sizzling summer celebration. For just $1199.99, you’ll get:

• Large Egg
• Cypress Table
• Table Nest
• Place Setter
• Baking Stone
• V-rack
• Cedar Grilling Planks
• Grill Gripper
• Ashtool
• Electric Fire Starter
• 20lb Bag of Charcoal

Buy dad something he’ll love this year. Save big on grills and grilling accessories at Ace Hardware of Gray.

Grill Photo from Flickr

Dads spend their kids’ childhoods teaching them valuable skills that will carry them through the rest of their lives. “Righty tighty, lefty loosey” leads the way to “Here’s how to shut the water off, stat!” Fathers teach their families how to fix the sink, refinish the deck, prep the house for winter, and everything in between. Show dad you care this Father’s Day by using the skills he taught you to knock out his home improvement to-do list.

3 Hands On Gifts for Father’s Day

1. Mow the lawn. Simple, elegant, effective. Take this weekly chore off your dad’s to-do list and let him relax on the porch with an ice cold beverage and fresh meat on the grill. Bonus: take a look around the lawn and fix up any straggly bushes, messy sheds, and worn out hardscaping. Double bonus: help your dad maintain his lawn mower by bringing it by Ace of Gray’s equipment repair shop for a yearly tune-up.
2. Fix busted pipes. Whether it’s a clog in the shower drain, a leaky pipe in the kitchen, or a sink with poor water pressure, fixing broken pipes is a crucial home maintenance task that’s easy to put off. Put those long Saturdays from your childhood to good use and show your father you were paying attention to his lessons in home repair.
3. Gas up the grill, but first, clean it out. Scrape off char buildup from spring cookouts, dust away any cobwebs that have formed between uses, and give the grill a good scrub with a gentle cleaning solution. Check wires, hoses, and propane tanks to make sure nothing needs replacing. Then grab a few of dad’s favorite steaks, break out his favorite steak rub, and get to celebrating!

Ace of Gray has the tools you need to succeed. Whether you want to buy your dad a new pair of hiking boots for Father’s Day or you’re looking for that crucial part to fix the leaf blower, you’re sure to find it in our home improvement center.

Photo from Flickr

It’s a busy week for new moms everywhere. With the birth of the royal Princess Charlotte and the newest addition to our own Ace of Gray family, Mother’s Day was never more aptly timed. Shopping for moms with infants is a challenge. Do they still have onesies from their last little one? What color is the nursery? Do they really want more diapers, or should you get them a more personal present? If you’re looking for a hit gift for the new mother in your life, Ace of Gray has some guaranteed home runs.

Great Gifts for New Moms

1. Structured PJs. Many new moms are too busy (and, let’s face it, too tired) to bother buttoning jeans and fitting back into pre-maternity tops. Help the woman in your life feel attractive again with a fashionable pair of pajamas (or three) from Ace of Gray.
2. Totes, totes, totes. Whether this is her first child or her fifth, the new mom in your life is about to get a lot of stuff. A monogrammed baby bag is the perfect gift to keep her looking good and feeling organized as she welcomes another little angel into the world. For a gift that goes above and beyond, fill a tote with formula, baby wipes, diapers, and a few extra treats for moms on the go.
3. A chore bouquet. Most moms love flowers, but for mothers of young infants, we recommend two bouquets: a bundle of fresh flowers to lift her spirits and a chore bouquet to take the pressure off home upkeep.
4. A day of rest. New moms are often overwhelmed by lack of sleep, constant caregiving, and the changes to their routine. Give your wife, daughter, or close friend the gift of “me-time” with a lazy Sunday morning this Mother’s Day. Bring her breakfast in bed, make her a hot bubble bath, and spend some time getting to know the latest addition to your loveable family!

Still looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Stop by Ace Hardware of Gray, GA.

Whether you own a Weber, a Holland, or a Traeger, it’s only a matter of weeks until you’re firing up the grill more often than not. Savory dinners, graduation parties, and summer cookouts are so close we can taste them. But there’s one more roadblock before you can make succulent pork chops this Mother’s Day: spring cleaning. Keep your grill in top shape with springtime cleaning and maintenance.

How to Spring Clean Your Grill

1. You may have a charcoal grill, a gas grill, an electric grill, or a smoker. Each variety of grill (and, most likely, every brand) has its own recommended cleaning method. Before diving into spring cleaning, double check the maintenance guide for protips specific to your grill.
2. If you haven’t yet, clear out any cobwebs, insect carcasses, and organic debris that’s collected over the winter.
3. Spot check propane hoses, electrical plugs, and dials for visible damage. Make sure the igniter button functions properly.
4. Burn off food residue by turning up the grill, closing the lid, and letting the heat do it’s work for about 15 minutes.
5. Let the grill cool. Disconnect the propane tank or unplug your grill. Make certain all dials are switched off.
6. Wearing protective gloves, clean the interior and exterior of your grill. Use a grill brush to scrape any remaining residue off the grates. Clean the burners, which often collect grease during grilling season. Brush away gunk that’s fallen into the grill. After cleaning the grill’s walls and fixtures, buff it to add extra shine.
7. Clean and organize your grilling accessories for another season of use.
8. Stock up on charcoal, propane, and flavored wood chips to prevent a problem during your first spring cookout.

Have grill accessories that need updating? Finally ready to replace your old grill with a Big Green Egg? Want to learn more about outdoor cooking? Stop by Ace of Gray’s outdoor living center for tips, equipment, and outdoor living accessories.

photo from FreeDigitalPhotos