How to Prepare Your Backyard for Summer

Are you a backyard person? I love my backyard – it’s quite a large one for the city! And I have some plans for it over the next couple of years – putting in a pool, adding a swing set and climber for Walter, and more. As the days warm up and flowers begin to bloom, many homeowners will start to think about getting their backyards ready for the warm spring and summer months. There are many different things that must be done to enjoy your backyard to the fullest this season. Just making sure that you are prepared is a great first step.

How to Prepare Your Backyard For Summer

Prepare Gardens

Now is a good time to start preparing your garden beds. Clean out any debris, or loose weeds and turn over the soil. Adding in some fresh soil can help, especially if your yard has a high clay content like mine. If the weather has warmed up enough you might even be able to start to plant things. (Here in my zone, I never plant much of anything until the third week of May. I’ve been burned too many times with a late frost. But there are a few early plants that can go in soon!)

Clean the Patio

The patio is a key feature of any backyard. It is where all the magic happens. Remove all the furniture from your patio and give it a good scrub. You can even consider adding some pretty accent pieces to your patio to make it feel more summer ready. Pillows, plants and even twinkle lights are all great ways to spruce up your patio area. You can find more detailed information on spring cleaning your patio here.

Get Your Barbecue Ready

Summer is the month for amazing barbecues and get-togethers. Make sure to give your barbecue a good cleaning to ensure optimal safety and efficiency. Don’t forget to make sure that the propane tank is full and ready to go. You will be cooking in no time! Want more BBQ cleaning tips? Read this post!

Rake the Lawn

It is important to remove any debris, leaves or sticks from your backyard, especially if you have little ones. Kids love to run barefoot through the grass – okay, I’ll be honest, I rarely wear shoes in the summer myself! – so it is crucial to ensure that everything is raked up for their safety. This can also help loosen up any clumps of grass that have matted down during the winter. It will grow better this way! This is a good time to reseed or re-sod sections of your lawn as needed too. Large branches and stumps should also be removed and if you have a dog, it is time to remove the mess they created over those winter months. (Did you know you can hire people to come and do your post-winter pooper scooping for you? Winning!)

Clean Toys & Equipment

Give any backyard toys and equipment like swing sets and trampolines and good wipe down with warm soapy water and a sponge and then rinse off with your garden hose. Toys and equipment can get dirty over those long winter months, so cleaning is a good idea. It is also important to ensure that all the toys and equipment are functioning properly and don’t pose a safety hazard. If anything is broken, or missing pieces, it may be a good idea to trash it and replace it.

Getting outdoors over the summer is a great way to spend your time. Having your backyard ready and prepared is the best way to ensure that you can get the most out of your yard this summer. Make sure to get your gardening done, clean the patio and prepare your barbecue and you will be well on your way to many a summer backyard staycation.