Your home’s exterior is important because it provides a place to relax and unwind. If you like spending time in the open, keeping your outdoor area in the best condition is essential. Investing in your lush garden or patio can make your time outside more enjoyable all year round. It is important to adopt a maintenance routine to ensure this area looks amazing and inviting. It is also crucial to prevent water from accumulating, which can damage your lawn and garden. Proper backyard drainage can ensure that excess water is effectively diverted away, preserving the health and beauty of your outdoor space. If you have been wondering how to take care of your outdoor space, here are nine tips to help
- Keep your lawn in good condition
A lawn can add to the aesthetics of your home, but there is more to that. Though your lawn creates oxygen that can help your environment, it also increases your home value. It also keeps you cool on a hot day. It is essential to maintain your lawn by watering it. However, light showers from your sprinkler or hose might not do much because the water might not seep down to the soil. It would be helpful to water heavily and allow it to soak at least 6-8 inches deep to allow the roots to grow deep into the ground. Your lawn may be dehydrated if your grass is starting to dry out or refusing to spring back after you step on it, so keep this in mind. Watering in the morning is also the best time because moisture tends to evaporate slower at this time. Mow your lawn frequently when it is growing season. Ensure you fertilize your lawn at least twice a year to help your soil gain nutrients that will cause your grass to grow. If you’re still struggling to keep your lawn in a healthy state, consider sewing the area with hard wearing lawn seed that can grow through the existing turf. Using a hardier type of grass might help your lawn stand up to more extreme weather and withstand periods of less than ideal care. This can be especially helpful if you’re the forgetful sort or someone who doesn’t spend lots of time tending to their lawn and instead just uses it a lot.
- Pest control is non-negotiable
You might want to spend time outside, and yet, bothersome pests are flying and crawling around. Though they are in their natural habitat, you don’t have to share your space with them. It can be hard to control pests when you are in an open space, but you can achieve success with the right strategies. For instance, you are less likely to experience pests like ants when you keep your patio clean. After enjoying your meals outdoors, sweep any crumbs and wipe sticky substances to avoid attracting them. Once in a while, spray a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on your patio as a repellent. In your garden, consider growing herbs like garlic, lemongrass and rosemary, which can repel biting insects. Pesky pests like mosquitoes like to hide in areas that are damp and produce shade, like your overgrown lawn. To get rid of them, trim your grass and consider using lawn care products. If you have stagnant water, like a pond in your backyard, treat or change it to prevent it from becoming a breeding place for mosquitoes. Remember to keep an eye out for anthills and treat them immediately after you see them to avoid an infestation.
- Stay on top of your paver maintenance
Pavers are important because they cover the areas in your garden that require a solid surface. When they are made of denser materials like concrete and granite, they require less attention or maintenance because they don’t easily stain or develop mould. On the other hand, more porous materials, like sandstone or bluestone, require regular maintenance and thorough cleaning. You will need to seal your paver so it can be protected from stains. When you have pavers for patio installation, wait for a while before you gently wash them down with a hose or sweep. Ensuring you prevent weeds or algae from growing on your paver by sweeping with a stiff broom, and keeping your drainage system away from it.
- Go all out for your outdoor lighting
Whether you have a small porch light or a landscape lighting system, it is essential to keep it maintained so it can function well and last long. Good lighting keeps you safe from burglary and other safety hazards. To maintain this, consider trimming any plant or branch that is surrounding your fixtures and obstructing their brightness. Also, dust or debris can gather on lighting fixtures and compromise the quality of light it is emitting. Remove or clean your lighting every couple of months to fix this. This process also ensures that pests don’t become comfortable in the tiny spaces of your fixture. Sometimes, you will need to go the extra mile by using warm water and mild soap to wash your fixtures off. Before you do so, remember to turn off your circuit breaker. When installing your lighting, ensure that it is properly installed and tightened. Most light systems get destroyed when there is a storm or a push from an external storm. Also, they are more exposed to external forces than your internal properties, so be vigilant. Check your wiring and cords as well since rodents and other pets can damage them.
- Maintain garbage disposal
Your garbage disposal is crafted to mulch soft food waste so you can dispose of it through your drainage system. Though this is helpful, it is common for the blades and drainage pipes to get congested if you don’t maintain your garbage disposal frequently or correctly. Before working on your garbage disposal, ensure there are no small items like rings or cutlery lying near it. It would be helpful to turn it off before you get near it. Regularly running it at least once a day will verify that it is working properly. It also keeps the blades from getting rusted. To test it out, run it with ice cubes when you don’t have anything to grind. Though it is meant for food, certain items can ruin it and should be avoided at all costs. These include banana peels, bones, potato peels, and broccoli. Avoid harsh cleaning products as well. Though they can help clear up your drains, the residue from these chemicals can get stuck on the blades. As a tip, cut the food into smaller pieces, feed it to the garbage disposal, and use coffee grounds or citrus fruits as a freshener.
- Maintain outdoor furniture
Outdoor furniture is typically made to withstand external elements, but it is still susceptible to dust, dirt, and pests. In cold conditions, ensure your furniture pieces stay in good condition. Consider cleaning them at least three times a year. For your day-to-day cleaning routine, vacuum with your dust-brush to remove dust and debris. Clean with mild soap and water, or use a damp cloth for furniture that doesn’t accept water. For wicker furniture it is highly recommended that you purchase it from a reputable wicker patio furniture retailer in order for it to maintain its look and style. When it comes to cleaning it, you can scrub with a brush with soft bristles and rinse with a moderate amount of water to prevent the fibres from weakening. After, pat your furniture dry with a lint-free cloth. If you have stains on your seat or wood furniture, scrub the affected area with a mix of hot water with powdered oxygen bleach. You can also remove stubborn stains with natural detergent, so feel free to consider this. Investing in water-proof coverings will also protect your furniture from rain or moisture. You can consider having a bottle of gentle cleanser and a rag on standby so you can quickly clean food and drink spills. It would also be wise to shop for furniture that is made from materials such as metal or synthetic wicker, as they are likely to last in sunny conditions.
- Conduct regular safety checks
Keep your outdoor space safe by compiling a checklist of the things that need to always be in working condition. For instance, ensure there aren’t dangerous plants like poison ivy, poison oak or hemlock growing in your space. Get rid of loose branches, garden tools, and other things that can cause injuries.
Your home is your sanctuary. Maintaining it doesn’t have to be a tiresome job as long as you use these tips.
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