The backyard of a house can be an oasis away from the rush and bustle of the outside world. Unfortunately, it’s more often a hodgepodge of weedy grass, old toys, and some garden tools. If your backyard is starting to feel more like a storage shed than a pleasant place to sit, it might be time for an overhaul. The good news is, unlike remodeling a house, dressing up a backyard doesn’t usually take too much time or money and the rewards can be huge.
Check on Your Fence
One of the fastest ways to spruce up your backyard is by cleaning up or repairing your fence. If you have a privacy fence in your backyard, give it a good inspection. Is it looking grayed or faded? Does it need to be cleaned? Are there broken or rotten pickets that need to be replaced? If your fence is looking dated, dirty, or in disrepair, one of the best ways to spruce up your yard is to fix the fence.
If you don’t have a fence around your backyard, consider installing one. A privacy fence can be a great asset in some neighborhoods. Even if you aren’t allowed to have a privacy fence in your community, a decorative fence can add a personal touch to your yard while helping to define your space. If you need more advice about the advantages of having a backyard fence, consult with experts like the ones at this fence company Denton TX.
Spruce Up the Grass
The most obvious feature of your backyard is the grass. Whether you have a huge grassy lawn or just a few small patches surrounded by plant beds or gravel, as is common in the Southwest, the grass is the most visual aspect of many yards. Give your lawn a good and honest evaluation. Check for browning spots, weedy areas, and other signs of unhealthy grass. One way to have a thriving and healthy lawn is to hire a landscaping company to fertilize and do regular treatments for weeds.
Add a Deck or Patio
Adding a deck or patio can be one of the best ways to create the perfect backyard. It is also one of the most expensive options, but if you want to spend more time in your yard or make an outdoor living area where you can spend time with your family, it is worth the expense. A deck or a patio in your backyard makes the atmosphere inviting and bridges the gap between the indoors and the outdoors. Once you have your deck or patio in place you can add lawn furniture, decorations, a grill, and other things that will turn this area into an extension of your living space. Some people go all out and make outdoor kitchens and living areas while others keep it simple with some seating and a grill. Either way, by building a deck or patio area, you’ll open your backyard up to many new possibilities.
Pressure Clean Surfaces
One quick and easy way to spruce up your backyard is to clean the flat surfaces. The exterior of your house, concrete patio and sidewalks, and wooden areas like a deck or fence can all build up dirt and grime. Especially in humid areas where mold and mildew can build up pressure washing or scrubbing the surfaces can make a big difference than the overall appearance of your yard. Even fences and deck railings can be improved with a good scrubbing.
Spruce up Flower Beds
If you have flower beds or other planted areas in your yard, one way to improve the overall look of the property is to spruce up these beds. Common maintenance needs of flower beds and planted areas include cleaning out leaves and plant debris and replacing the bark, gravel, or other mulch that has been used in the beds. Depending on what plants you have in these areas, you may also need to do regular pruning and trimming. If you have lost plants or have bare areas, you may need to add new shrubs or fill in with annual flowers. If you have plants that go dormant during some times of the year you will need to make sure these areas get maintained and mulched properly as bare dirt invites weeds and erodes easily.
Create a Kitchen Garden
Adding a small kitchen garden or a few raised beds is a great way to make your backyard more interesting and to help feed your family. Whether you stick to a few tomato plants during the summer, create a small backyard herb garden, or go all out and plant enough to provide all of your vegetable needs, vegetable gardens are a fun and practical addition to your yard and can be a good hobby. Even if you don’t want an extensive vegetable garden you can add a few easy plants along with your flowers or in pots on your back porch. Nothing is more fun and fulfilling than popping warm sun-ripened cherry tomatoes or snow peas in your mouth while relaxing in your backyard. If you have children, it’s fun and educational to introduce them to the delightful hobby of growing your own food.
Invite Wildlife and Birds to Visit
Invite wildlife to visit or live in your backyard by choosing plants that will entice them. Birds need plants that will provide them with shelter, nesting materials, and food. Butterflies and bees need flowers for nectar and pollen, especially during the early spring and late fall when blooming plants become hard to find. Bird feeders and bird baths will also encourage wildlife to frequent your yard.
You can even add special features for other wildlife such as bat houses and mason bee houses that will invite these important animals to spend time in your yard. Many gardeners use half-buried terracotta pots in their flower beds to give shelter to toads and frogs and invite them to live there.
Also Read: Building a Backyard Pond: Step By Step Guide
