10 Summer Projects to Enhance Your Yard
Jul 8th, 2010
The feeling of accomplishment is glorious when you pull into your driveway and realize that your yard is the best in the neighborhood. Beautifying your home by surrounding it with lush greenery and colorful flowers will not only enhance its value, but the scenery will also provide you with a peaceful outdoor area to unwind, relax and collect your thoughts. So brave the heat, get your hands and knees dirty, break a sweat and spend your free time this summer tackling projects that’ll enhance your yard. Here are a few to consider.
- Fertilize
Fertilizer is rich in nutrients, and once you apply it to your yard, your grass will be thicker, greener and devoid of unsightly weeds and pesky insects. Be sure to buy fertilizer that’s intended for summer use. Don’t apply it during midday when the sun is beating down on your grass, and don’t forget to water afterward. - Collect compost and add it to your soil
Save grass clippings, branches, vines and other natural waste – like fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, nutshells and coffee grounds – to make a compost pile, which will boost the growth of your lawn and garden. The natural fertilizer balances the pH level of the soil, prevents erosion of topsoil, releases plant nutrients and improves water drainage. Here’s a guide to composting from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. - Establish a walkway
You don’t want the thick grass that you’ve worked hard to maintain to get trampled. If your yard lacks a concrete walkway, or if your guests ignore the one you have, establish a new one by laying bricks or stone pieces. Choose a design that will best suit your home and lawn aesthetically. Not only will it eliminate the crease in your grass, but it’ll also give your home new flavor. - Prune and plant
If you have some unruly trees and shrubs that need to be pruned, take out the shears or a machete and go to town. However, keep in mind that some trees and shrubs are best cut in certain seasons. During the summer, it’s best to prune azaleas, lilacs, magnolias, mountain laurels, hawthorns, forsythias and flowering crabapples. If you want to plant a garden of flowers, consider daylilies, purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. - Install an automatic irrigation system
Don’t allow for the dryness of summer to take its toll on your lawn. By properly installing an automatic irrigation system, you’ll conserve water, save money and ensure that your grass, plants and trees get sufficient moisture. If you plan to do it on your own, be sure to solicit the advice of a certified irrigation contractor. Just don’t rely on the “on/off” setting and check it regularly; you don’t want to overwater and waste money. - Mosquito-proof your yard
Mosquitoes can be a pain during the summer, especially in humid climates. You want to enjoy spending time in your yard without having to deal with tons of bites afterward. Rid the pests from your property by removing the standing water in which they breed. You can put a birdhouse in your yard, which will attract birds to feast on mosquitoes and other bugs. You can also place mosquito traps in strategic locations to prevent their assault. - Wash your home’s siding
Dirty siding can taint an otherwise beautiful yard. Rent a pressure washer from your local hardware store or rental equipment dealer and wash your vinyl or metal siding. Wood and brick siding should be cleaned more delicately with a regular hose and mild soap solution. Regardless of the surface, proceed with caution; painted areas can chip and fade if too much pressure is applied. - Build a new fence
If your old fence is rotting and coming apart, spend some time constructing a new one. First determine whether or not you want to build the same type of fence. If not, choose a style and type of wood – wood fences are most common – that would best fit with your yard. Be sure to stain your pretreated lumber so that it’ll survive the weather and remain looking new for years. - Build a patio
A patio can serve as your summer outdoor retreat for family fun. Just like when you build a fence, it’s important to ensure the style of the patio fits with the rest of your home and yard. Leave enough room for the activities in which you’d partake on it – like a cooking area. Be sure to create the perfect atmosphere; surround it with plants and proper lighting. - Cover the bare spots
Have any unsightly bare spot where absolutely nothing will grow? Don’t waste your time planting and replanting, and cover it up with big rocks and stones. But if the area is even somewhat conducive to life, you can cultivate a rock garden. You can also place a bench in a shady and bare area on which you could sit and enjoy the new view of the rest of your yard.
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