Easy Backyard Ideas
Spring is almost here and it's time to get your backyard ready for some warm weather enjoyment by sprucing it up a bit. You might even be ready for a full backyard renovation, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune doing it. Here some suggestions for giving your backyard a makeover without breaking the bank or taking out a second mortgage. And if you need something like a playground out of the way while doing these, consider a valet storage company to come and pick it up temporarily.
Buy potted plants. Seeds are even cheaper, but then you have to buy the pots and soil and spend the time and effort to grow them. And face it, we don't all have a green thumb. Potted plants range from very inexpensive to very expensive, but even cheap one will look nice and make a huge difference, especially if your backyard is currently barren.
Add some solar lights. Solar lights are a great way to add some atmosphere around the patio at night, or even around the house or yard if strategically placed to be aesthetically pleasing. Just like anything else, solar lights can run a pretty penny depending on the type, brand, and where you purchase them, but inexpensive versions abound and work well. Even the dollar stores usually have them, and for the amount you'll spend, it won't even matter if you have to replace them after a year.
Mulch or wood chips. Regardless of your preference, there are few things that will make a bigger difference with a smaller cost than adding mulch or wood chips around your trees and shrubs. It keeps weeds from creeping into the landscaping, holds in water to help them grow larger and stronger, and is aesthetically pleasing in and of itself.
Seed your lawn. A rich growth of grass will make more of a difference than you expect in the overall look of your outdoor space. Thick grass also helps keep the weeds out of your lawn, which both looks better and saves you work. Early in the spring, buy grass seed and cover the lawn with it, especially the more sparse areas. And don't forget - fertilizer and plenty of water!
Use free rocks. Patio stones and garden stones are gorgeous and really enhance an outdoor space, but they can also cost an arm and a leg. Why not go the DIY route? Find a construction site where there are plenty of rocks (and where they don't care if you take them) and use mortar to hold them together in the way you want. This can literally save you hundreds over purchasing the stones at a home improvement store. Rocks from a landfill or local quarry can also be used instead of the mulch, wood chips, or pine straw around your trees and shrubs.
Edge your garden and along the side of your driveway. This is another subtle thing that makes a massive difference. Cleanly edged driveways, sidewalks, and garden beds look thousands of times better than those that aren't. Go get your edger or weed-eater out of self storage and get to work!
Water your grass every day and spray with non-toxic weed killer. As mentioned before when seeding, water is your lawn's friend. Don't count on mother nature to take care of it for you, make sure you water every day. And use a non-toxic weed killer to keep the grass growing strong and the unsightly weeds away.
Use cinder blocks as flower pots. If the cost of flower pots is out of your budget (and they do get ridiculous sometimes), just use cinder blocks instead. These are very cheap, and it's simple to stack them in decorative and interesting configurations.
Hang bird feeders. This is a great way to keep bugs away and keep your back yard full of life. Birds love to eat bugs, and you'll get the added bonus of some lovely bird songs!
