Get a grill – If you already have a grill, then get it working.  Clean it up and change any needed parts.  You also might want to get a grill cover to keep the rain and weather from causing damage.  I don’t know about you, but once summer rolls around I enjoy cooking outside.  It keeps me from heating up the house and there are so many foods that taste great when cooked on the grill.  Have some friends over, grill some meats and veggies, and have fun!

Start a garden – I’ve been meaning to start a garden these past few weeks, but I just haven’t had the time.  Last year I enjoyed peppers and tomatoes and this year I plan to plant more things.  Starting a garden is on my priority list for next week.  Come summer, I’ll be enjoying fresh vegetables off the vine.  They seem to taste so much better when you’ve grown them yourself and it definitely saves on your grocery budget.

Put in a deck or patio – Decks and patios can be expensive, but you can save a lot of money if you build them yourself.  Decks and patios can be used for years to come and they make such a great hangout spot for your summer get togethers.

Plant some flowers and plants – It’s hard to enjoy your yard when it doesn’t look good.  Plants and flowers are one of the easiest ways to spruce up a yard.  Personally, I like perennials because they come back each year, don’t require a lot of fuss, and they’re a more thrifty choice.  Check with your local stores for tips on plants and flowers to plant in your area.

Image: sxc.hu

Consider the little things – Sometimes minor changes can make a difference.  Is your garden flag tattered and faded?  Does the outside light provide enough light?  Changing minor things can make your yard more appealing and comfortable for you and your guests.

Get some lawn furniture – I have always wanted some nice outdoor furniture.  Maybe one of these days I can make this purchase.  I have a big deck this year so it would be nice to sit outside under and umbrella and have lunch.  If you already have outdoor furniture, then now is the time to get it cleaned up and ready to use.  If it looks a little worn, then it may be possible to clean it with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or perhaps you could just replace or recover the cushions.

Hang up bird feeders – Even if you don’t have much money this year, chances are you can afford a bird feeder.  There’s something very peaceful and calming about watching beautiful birds outside your windows.

Consider some outdoor storage - To put it nicely, outdoor junk is very unattractive.  I can’t stand to see things lying around the yard.  If you don’t have a shed or outbuilding, you might consider getting one.  If you can’t afford a building or if you don’t need something that large, there are other storage options such as storage benches and deck boxes.

Get the bugs under control – It is hard to enjoy the great outdoors if there are pests flying around.  You certainly don’t want your guests to be eaten up by bugs while they’re visiting.  You may want to try citronella candles or torches.  Also, keep in mind that there are also some pretty neat traps and repeller gadgets out there now.

Think about some decor – From arches and trellisis to ponds and fountains, there is something out there for everyone.  Look online or drive around different neighborhoods and look for things you like.

These are some of the things you can do to make your yard more enjoyable this summer.  What suggestions do you have to add to this list?

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Everyone knows it’s good to be as green as possible, but the high price of many organic products can have people reaching for conventional chemical-based pesticides and fertilizers. Well, there are plenty of ways to be frugal – and eco-friendly – with gardening and yard maintenance.

Weed Control
There are many ways to deal with weeds. You could use stand-bys like Round-Up, which is readily available. But did you know that there are eco-friendly options that are safer for pets and kids – and cheaper? One option is to get a weed puller. There are many options out there, with names like Weed Twister, Weed Queen, and more. These can be found at most hardware/home improvement stores, and work for weeds in the lawn – and do some aerating at the same time. For weeds that are in sidewalks and patios, mix vinegar with a splash of dish soap (the dish soap helps it stick to the weeds). This works best if you get the weeds while they are still small. Pickling vinegar is more effective than standard kitchen vinegar. You can also pour boiling water on these weeds. Be careful with these two methods though – they’ll kill everything, whether or not it’s a weed. For good pre-emergent weed control, spread corn gluten-based fertilizer on the lawn. This is usually not much more expensive than traditional fertilizers, and if you live near a feed mill you can get plain corn gluten for very cheap.

Fertilizer
Natural fertilizers are the best bet for safety of pets and kids, and are also much better for our water systems because of run-off. As mentioned above, corn gluten makes a good fertilizer. You can also make your garden and landscaping using native plants, which grow more easily and require less care.

Lawn Care
Keep your lawn right around 3 inches. It will require less water. When you mow, leave the clippings behind. It takes less effort than bagging and is good for the law. Consider replacing your gas mower with less expensive electric or manual ones – save gas and get a better workout at the same time. Buy a rain barrel – just an inch of rain from part of our roof runoff filled our 55-gallon barrel last week. We’ll use that to water the garden and our freshly planted trees until it runs out (or rains again). And don’t over-water. Lawns are typically healthy with only an inch per week. Water early in the morning for the most effective watering – and don’t water at all unless it’s been over a week without rain. Use sprinklers that go low to the ground to avoid water loss from evaporation.

image by Karen Weideman

Bekah blogs at Motherhood Moment where she shares freebies and tips on eco-friendly living, parenting, and saving money and time.

Post from: Keeping the Castle