Long days and warm nights under the stars – the summer is a time when you know you’re extremely grateful to have a backyard. It’s a safe haven for homeowners and the best part about the summer is that you can gather friends and family and stay up longer just to enjoy the magical atmosphere a little more. Making the best of your backyard and creating this wonderful atmosphere requires a bit of preparation, and we’re here to take you through the process.
Keep your lawn in top shape
There’s nothing better than walking barefoot on soft grass in your own yard. Plus a well-kept lawn is a beautiful, calming sight to take in every day. Maintain your lawn regularly, especially during the spring and if its health has diminished, rebuild it. Make sure to water it consistently so your grass can survive the summer heat. It’s best to have a sprinkler system for consistent watering that is set to run every 24 hours. When it comes to mowing, keep in mind that grass needs to be a little longer (a bit more than 3 inches). During the hottest months in order to provide shade for its roots and seal moisture in the soil. Mow once weekly to keep it neat, but don’t cut more than a third of the grass length each time, so that you don’t cause structural damage.
Move your trash can elsewhere
A lot of us have gotten used to keeping the trash can out back, but it’s really not a sight you want in your summer paradise, especially when you have people over. Since you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the backyard, it’s better to move the trash out front, especially because garbage attracts flies and pests.
Speaking of pests…
For most of us, the first thing that comes to mind when talking about summer nights is those pesky mosquitoes. There are ways you can deal with this issue and ensure you won’t be bothered by them and other pests.
First, eliminate all sources of standing water, since this is the habitat mosquitoes go after in order to lay eggs. Buckets of water, small ponds and birdbaths will only keep mosquitoes and other bugs coming back, so make sure to get rid of them completely.
You can also repel pests with certain plants such as lemongrass, marigold, lavender, basil, mint, etc. Plant these around the sitting area and you will be safe, plus they will let off a pleasant scent to remember the summer by.
Clean out the shed
If you have a shed or any kind of storage area in your backyard, it’s important to clean it up and organize it in preparation for the summer. You won’t be bringing guests in there, but this is the place where you can keep at hand things you might need when people come over (board games or blankets, for example) and you want to be able to find everything easily. Plus, when you’re seated comfortably in a neat backyard, a filthy and chaotic shed looming in a corner can give off an ominous vibe. If its exterior has gotten shabby with time, revive your shed with a fresh coat of paint.
Spruce up the patio
The patio becomes the center of activity during summer nights, and it’s pretty much an outdoor living room. Give it a thorough cleaning – get rid of any debris, wash it and make sure whatever flooring material you have is in good shape. The whole backyard should be a relaxed, shoe-free zone, so maybe you’ll want to get an outdoor rug on your patio to ensure there will be no splinters.
Furnish
Thoroughly clean your patio furniture as well. If you have uncomfortable, outworn outdoor furniture, replacing it completely would be a great investment. Modern patio furniture is very refined and equal in comfort to indoor furniture. You can even find fully upholstered sets with advanced fabric technology that allows them to withstand weather conditions. You won’t regret chucking away old chairs once you’re sprawling on your cushy outdoor sofa late into the night.
Set the mood with lighting
You surely won’t be sitting in your backyard in complete darkness. Flashlights or strong lights coming from the house don’t exactly go with that whimsical summer night ambiance you have in mind. It’s advisable to get LED lights since they’re eco-friendly and last much longer than any other. Also, as lighting technology has advanced, you can now find a wide variety of indoor and outdoor LED lights that give off a warm tone. Distribute the lights nicely around the backyard to get a perfect balance and no dark, creepy corners.
Provide a source of warmth
Summer nights can get very hot in most areas, but not all of them. Plus, they get colder even in such areas as the summer slowly extinguishes. You’ll want to salvage every possibility of staying outside longer. So consider making a cozy and warm area that everyone can stay gathered around. You can get a heating lamp or make a fire pit to truly make your patio resemble a living room with the sky as its ceiling.
Get a hammock
You don’t have to have something to hang it on. As there are hammocks with individual steel stands that you can put anywhere in your yard and at affordable prices also. Hammocks are lovely for lazing around, feeling like you’re on a tropical island and just staring at the stars. But watch out, because they’re addictive and if you get one, everyone will be fighting for it the whole summer.
