Outdoor activities create the opportunity for you to socialize with family and friends and get exercise in the fresh air. Improving your backyard can give you a fantastic recreational space and boost your property value. With summer in full bloom, there’s no better time than now to transform your outdoor space and spend some quality time together. Here’s how to upgrade your backyard and build a recreational space for the whole family.
Keep Your Trees Healthy
Hiring tree services to keep your trees healthy is a great way in how to upgrade your backyard into a comfortable and relaxing recreational space. You may want to consider adding new trees for more shade. Stake new trees to help them grow straight and remove the stakes after a year once the tree can stand on its own. Keep grass from growing next to the new trees and water their roots regularly. If your trees are showing yellow foliage, it may be a sign that you need to fertilize your trees to give them proper nutrients for growth.
Apply organic mulch to conserve moisture. Prune trees properly to enhance the strength and structure of your trees. As your new trees are growing, try to avoid bumping into the trunks with your lawnmower or whacking them with debris from weed eaters. This can damage the trunks and make them prone to insects and disease. By properly taking care of your new trees, you’ll have a fantastic backyard recreational space for years to come.
Repair Old Fencing
Freshening up and repairing your existing fencing can spruce up the recreational space in your backyard. Old wood fences can be prone to pests and wood rot. This can trigger allergies and asthma or your family members and compromise the safety and stability of your fencing. Replace any affected panels and rusty hinges. If you have a pest problem, you may want to consider hiring pest control services before making any attempts to fix your fence.
If your fencing is in decent shape, you can give them a fresh coat of paint to help them look brand new. Consider adding planters and lighting for extra backyard appeal. You can find many interesting projects online for enhancing your old fencing. By repairing your old fencing, you can improve your property value and provide extra safety and security for your home.
Invest in a New Fence and Gate System
When considering how to upgrade your backyard, you may want to invest in the installation of a new fence and gate system. Backyard fences can be tricky to build yourself and require regular maintenance. However, they provide a safe recreational space for your children and pets. It can also give you privacy when entertaining guests. Consider hiring gate installation services to give your backyard security with a new gate system. If you have children, you may want to find a child-proof gate system to keep them safe.
There are many fencing options to choose from to improve the aesthetics of your home and backyard. Popular fencing material options include white picket, aluminum, vinyl, wood, and wrought iron. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Make sure to do your research and comparison shop before making a purchase. You may also want to speak with your local government and inquire about the need for permits.
Keep Your Yard Clean
It’s hard to have a place for relaxation and recreation when there’s a bunch of yard waste laying around. Keep your yard clean of debris by picking up dead branches and windswept trash. Rake up the leaves and dispose of them in bags for the recyclers to pick up. Get rid of weeds and prune trees and shrubs. Make sure the children put their toys away and store yard tools and supplies inside a garage or shed.
By keeping your yard clean, you can prevent pests from making your property their home and causing damage. It will make your backyard more inviting to spend time in. It can also save you money and embarrassment from neighbors making legal complaints about how your property looks. By picking up yard debris, you’ll enhance the beauty of your backyard’s features. A clean yard also gives your family plenty of space to run and play without risking potential injury.
Care for Your Grass
One of the best tips for how to upgrade your backyard involves proper care of your grass. Your grass is one of the first things that your guests will notice when entertaining. Having a patchy lawn also puts a damper on your enjoyment of your backyard as a recreational space. Hydroseeding can give you a beautiful yard with minimal effort. To take care of your lawn with hydroseeding, make sure your soil is level and free from debris that can inhibit new growth.
When you first plant grass seed, you want to make sure you water the seedlings three to four times a day. You can gradually reduce this amount once the grass starts growing. Wait to mow your lawn until the grass is at least three inches tall to prevent possible damage. Fertilize your new grass about every 90 days and avoid using pesticides. Keep your family and pets off the new growth for at least the first three weeks.
Avoid Flooding
When figuring out how to upgrade your backyard, you may want to strongly consider how to prevent flooding from occurring. There are a few landscaping techniques you can employ to aid you in preventing excess water from damaging your property. If you’re prone to flooding, consider leveling your yard to slope down and away from your home. You can also plant indigenous plants and lay down mulch to help with water extraction and protect your backyard from soil erosion. It may be a good idea to have your sump pump inspected to make sure it’s operating properly.
Clean Up The Pool
Tips for how to upgrade your backyard would be incomplete without addressing the backyard pool. It’s important to perform regular swimming pool maintenance. Maintaining the chemical levels in your pool isn’t enough. The chemicals clean the pool water but don’t clean the bottom and walls of your pool. You also still need to clear out debris and insects from your pool on a daily basis. Professional pool cleaners can take care of all this work for you.
You may also want to consider upgrading your pool area with a few accessories. Add a few sun loungers with large umbrellas to relax poolside. Place a few plants strategically around the pool area to give it a tropical feel. Other great additions include a storage crate to hold all your supplies, a floating pool bar, hammocks, and a fire pit. You may also want to upgrade your pool area with safety measures to protect young children from gaining access without your permission.
Create a Shady Patio
A shady patio gives you a great way to entertain family and friends. Patios are perfect spots for gathering together for family dinners, having a game night, or reading books together and relaxing. Installing a patio can be cheaper than building a deck. Consider hiring paving contractors to build a custom patio design perfect for your backyard space. They can also create beautiful walkways leading up to your patio to increase the beauty of your backyard.
Make sure to power wash the patio on a regular basis to tackle grime and stains and to prevent mold and mildew growth. Think about creating your patio as an outdoor living room. Complete your new patio with attractive and comfortable furniture, lighting, and a grill. Add a few plants and flowers to give the patio a more natural look.
Manage Pests
Managing pests is a critical part when it comes to figuring out how to upgrade your backyard. It’s hard to enjoy a recreational space when you constantly have insects flying in your face. To help create a pest-free backyard, make sure to get rid of anything that can cause standing water to collect. Clean gutters and maintain your lawn from weeds and overgrown grass. Call an exterminator to spray at least once a month, especially if you live in a hot and humid climate or near a body of water.
Add Lighting and Water Features
When looking at how to upgrade your backyard, consider adding lighting and water features to enhance its appeal. You can include an outdoor fireplace or solar art sculptures that light up your backyard in the evening hours. Water fountains and ponds can be excellent additions for the relaxation and enjoyment of your backyard space. You can add these elements yourself or hire professionals to do the work for you.
There are eco-friendly amenities you can also use to upgrade your backyard. These sustainable features include items such as solar lighting panels, rainwater gardens, and irrigation systems. These features can turn your backyard into an oasis and boost your property value as well as protect the environment.
Buy or Build a Fire Pit
Fire pits are outstanding crowd-pleasers when you’re looking at choices on how to upgrade your backyard. You can enjoy conversations with family and friends and enjoy delicious campfire treats. There are a variety of fire pits you can choose from whether you’re looking to build or buy one. The three most popular options include wood, natural gas, or propane.
When installing a fire pit, you want to make sure it’s at least ten feet away from your house. You may want to consult with your city government for exact regulations for residential fire pits. Keep a fire extinguisher or water hose nearby when using the fire pit. Flames can get out of control quickly, especially if there are gusts of wind. If you have children, you may also want to brush up on fire safety.
Make a Kids Outdoor Play Area
Children are living more sedentary lives than ever before. This can make them prone to obesity and the development of chronic illnesses. When considering how to upgrade your backyard, you may want to invest in an outdoor play area to help your kids stay active. You could build a treehouse where they can be free to assert their independence and create lasting memories with their friends. Swing sets, sandboxes, and slides are also popular recreational activities for kids.
Add a Birdhouse
Another tip for how to upgrade your backyard you may want to consider is adding a birdhouse. A birdhouse can become an excellent recreational activity for the whole family. Children can learn all about the different kinds of birds that come to visit and what they like to eat. Birds are also great for your backyard with controlling pests and weeds and preserving flowers.
You can turn having a birdhouse into a fun recreational activity by building one together as a family. You can find simple DIY birdhouse projects online that kids can do. Your children will have fun painting and designing a custom birdhouse they can show off to guests.
Grow a Flower or Vegetable Garden
Gardens can transform your backyard into a lush oasis. Growing a flower or vegetable garden is another great option in how to upgrade your backyard into a recreational space for the whole family. Children can learn how to grow fruits and vegetables and take care of the flowers. When the garden is ready for harvest, the whole family can enjoy delicious meals in the backyard with the food they grew themselves. It’s also another excellent way for the family to stay active and physically fit with all the digging, planting, watering, and weeding.
The strategies and tips for how to upgrade your backyard are endless. Use these tips as a starting point and let your imagination fly. You’ll be able to create a beautiful backyard space your whole family will love for relaxation and recreation. Your backyard oasis will also boost your property value if you should sell it in the future. Enjoy the rest of your summer in style by upgrading your backyard today!
