7 Tips to Turn Your Yard into Summer Haven
By now you
should have done everything to prepare your backyard for the summer. If you
have no idea what I'm talking about, consider going back to the basics. For those of you who have mowed the lawn and got rid of
those pesky weeds, keep on reading because it's time to take your yard to the
next level.
Postpone
those vacation plans and invest the money you save into your own home instead.
A few new trees and plants can go a long way, but if you really want to make
your backyard the envy of your neighborhood and a getaway to relax in during
the long hot days - follow these 7 simple tips and create your own haven you
can enjoy all summer.
1. Plant Some Color
Adding new
colorful vegetation can substantially change the feel of your backyard. Opt for
annuals and perennials that bloom during the whole season and even transition
into fall. Tall garden phlox can grow
up to 47 inches and come in a variety of colors including white, red, and pink.
These fragrant flowers are a welcome addition to any aesthetically pleasing
garden. Ornamental onions, also known
as Alliums, are beautiful and easy to
grow but also very resistant to pests. Combine these with the fiery red Cardinal flower and the bright yellow Helenium and you've got yourself an
entire pallet of vivid colors. Don't forget to spread some fresh mulch since it
will not only supply your flowers with the needed nutrients but can also
compliment your yard's aesthetics.
2. Organic Food For You And Your Family
Since you
already got your hands dirty in the garden, you might as well plant some
vegetables and fruit. If that giant flowerbed took all the space, you can get
creative and make your own vertical pallet garden. Grab an old wooden pallet
you probably have lying around in the shed and cut it in half using a circular
saw, or you can also buy wooden pallets. Place some landscape fabric and staple it inside and on the sides. Fill
your new pallet garden with soil and plant your favorite veggies and fruits.
You can go with pretty much anything you like, I prefer organic strawberries,
cherry tomatoes, and some fresh culinary herbs like basil, thyme, coriander and
maybe some parsley.
3. Stick To Simple Furniture Options
The idea is
spending time in your upgraded backyard while drinking your favorite cold drink
to cool off or eating a salad you prepared using fresh ingredients from your
own garden. In order to enjoy this adequately, you'll need something to sit on.
Look online for a used bistro set that fits your backyard theme and doesn't
require a lot of space. Don't go for anything that would take away from the
beauty of your garden, stick to a simple design. Bistro sets come in a wide
variety of styles and materials - from wrought iron to unfinished wood for that
natural look. If you love DIY projects, making your own furniture is always an
option. There are tons of videos online on how to make a simple yet effective
farmhouse table with benches.
4. A Warm Family Gathering Needs A Fire Pit
So what about
those cool summer evenings? A pair of blankets can help keep your family and
friends warm but nothing beats a good old fire pit. You can buy a solid copper
one at Walmart or your local Home Depot for a relatively small amount of money,
but if you're like me and want to build your own it's really easy to do so. All
you need is fireproof wall blocks, either trapezoidal or rectangular, depending
on the design you're going for; some crushed gravel for your base; construction
adhesive, remember to apply it to every single block; crushed stone for the
bottom, either granite or lava rock make a nice dry surface and that's it. It's
a simple Saturday afternoon project for a gathering place everyone can enjoy.
5. Simple Lighting Ideas To Brighten Up Your Backyard
Incorporating
lighting into your backyard can be a simple yet very effective way to turn your
outside area into an enchanting place. In order to keep things budget friendly,
we're turning to DIY projects once again. For a cozy atmosphere, consider
running a couple of wires and hanging cheap paper lanterns or even old spice
jars that you can decorate on your own. If you don't have tall trees or a roof
to hang the lanterns from, you can make simple string light poles. Another great idea is making your own tiki torches using
recycled wine bottles. Hey, just sticking to candles is always an option right?
6. Get A Cozy Hammock
A lazy Sunday
spent in the backyard is not complete without a cozy hammock you can relax in
and successfully forget about the fact that Monday is just around the corner.
ideally, you can put it up between two trees that are close enough to each
other, but there is a solution if that's not the case. Opt for one of those
self-standing hammocks that you can move around freely and even save space. I
won't go into too many details which brand or product is the best, but you can
find a bunch of backyard hammock reviews over at Gearhub.
7. Wind Chimes Offer Decoration And Relaxation
To complete
your garden of relaxation you need to get a wind chime. This wonderful
decorative object dances to its own music when struck by a cool breeze. Wind
chimes will tuck you in with their soothing tingling sound and make you fall
asleep in your hammock in a matter of minutes. They're a cheap decoration for
your backyard, but if you're going for a for a unique look you can also make
them yourself using copper tubing or sea glass.
8. Something For The Kids To Enjoy
In order to
raise healthy and active kids, you need to provide them with enough motivation to enjoy
outdoor activities, and that can be difficult in today's digital age where
video games occupy the majority of their free time. If the surroundings allow
it, build a swing using an old truck tire; Tell your kids how much you've
enjoyed hopscotch when you were their age; If your household is full of little
creatives, there are affordable options for blackboards that you can mount on
your fence and let your kids discover their inner-Picasso.
CONCLUSION
Apply all of
these tips or pick two or more of your favorite ones and you'll have a backyard
that's worth coming home to and even harder to leave. Summer is just around the
corner so you better get to work if your oasis of relaxation is going to become
a reality.