7 Great Yard Maintenance Tips for Great Backyards

DIY Outdoor Maintenance List

A listing of 7 things to add to your outdoor maintenance list.

1. Repair Fence Rails

Cedar fences will have rails that shrink or warp, partially detaching themselves from the post.

The likelihood of this occurring is minimized by staining the fence.

If a rail becomes detached, you can simply install a new rail and leave the old one in place.

Just place the new rail above or below the existing one and screw it into both posts.

Attach each of the fence boards in that new section with four screws and nails to the new rail.

2. Fertilize the Yard

Be sure to feed your lawn to make it healthier and grow a better root system.

If you feed your lawn in the early spring, it will help it get off to a good start before heavy growing season.

If crab grass is present, apply a combination of fertilizer with pre-emergent to control it.

In late spring, grass is actively using its stored energy therefore broadleaf weeds can be growing too.

Feed your lawn and combat the weeds at the same time with a weed n feed type fertilizer.

3. Spring Garden

Keep your gardens looking fresh with spring plants displayed in various ways such as in potteries, hanging, planter boxes, or window planter displays.

Plant flowers such as lilies, dahlias, and gladiolus.

4. Choose a Patio Cover

Install a patio cover to help create a place to entertain.

Choose aluminum for an environmentally friendly option with long lasting durability for no worries about rotting, rusting, or fading.

Choose wood pergolas to provide shade when covered with flowers or vines.

This will give an open top that still leads to an outdoor feel.

5. Clean Windows

Clean the windows by using a vacuum to remove dust from window screens and wash down the exterior windows with a hose to remove grease and grime.

Clean windows with a paper towel, cotton cloth, or squeegee.

Wash the windows side to side on the inside to down on the outside.

If there are streaks you will know which side they are on.

6. Install Lights

Install lighting such as standing lanterns or floor lanterns to set the mood while entertaining outside.

7. Deck Cleaning

Before starting, test the cleaner’s strength on a small area.

The cleaner should remove mildew and dirt in ten to fifteen minutes.

If it takes longer, the mix is to week.

If it takes less than ten minutes, the mix was made to strong.

Use a soft scrub brush and apply oxygenated bleach cleaner to the deck.

Once dried, sand the deck and make sure every screw or nail head is safely before the surface before sanding.

After sanding, vacuum all the sand dust and apply a semitransparent stain which is recommended for your deck each year.