Jacksonville , NC   June 14, 2018

5 Early Summer Yard Projects

Early summer, when the weather is warm but the most intense heat has yet to descend, is often an ideal time to add a few yard projects to your weekend to-do list.

Below are five fun projects to tackle with your family. Bonus: most can be done during a single weekend if you have more than one set of hands on deck.

Build a firepit. There are a myriad of helpful tutorials online for building your own fire pit outside, and some are as simple as arranging attractive bricks or cinder blocks. Create a simple or intricate pit, assuring it’s a safe distance from the house and far from any foliage, and break out the marshmallows.

Install a (temporary) outdoor shower. Before you say, “but I’m not a plumber,” think about this fun, quick fix: Wrap a hose around a favorite tree, hanging the nozzle just above height level. Install a shower curtain around a hula hoop and hang it from the same tree, so that the nozzle of the hose hangs down the center. Attach a shower nozzle at the end of the hose and voila – a quick, fun shower for rinsing off in your suit after the beach.

Restain the deck. This may be more functional than fun, but if your deck is looking a little tired, a clear, rain-free weekend is the perfect time for re-staining. You can do this yourself. Just be sure to properly clean and sand the deck down before staining, and don’t forget to weather-seal it. Talk to a professional at your closest home improvement store to make sure you get the proper seals and stains, and follow directions accordingly.

Create an easy lounge area. Choose a corner of your deck, yard or patio that isn’t getting much use, ideally one with at least one side snug against the house. Purchase or find a few pallets, paint them fun colors, and secure them into the corner. Add a futon pad or bed topper, toss on a few comfy pillows, and you’ve got a luxurious lounge area for the whole family to enjoy.

Add a touch of whimsy. Parents with young children, this one’s for you. Create a fun playspace in your backyard to keep the kids entertained all season long. A few ideas: Spray paint twister dots on the grass for family fun; string a sheet from the trees, grab a projector, and have movie nights al fresco; repurpose that hula-hoop shower curtain idea without the hose for a fun fort for one. Or, drag that old bunk bed frame your child has outgrown into the yard, seal it with waterproof sealer, and transform it into a star gazing center.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,