Simple Backyard Makeovers
Having a backyard is great, but if it is unattractive, you are far less likely to get outside and enjoy. There are many simple and cost-effective ways to transform a drab backyard into a place where you want to relax and enjoy nature.
Your first step should be to clean up the entire yard. Remove any old and ugly furnishings and get rid of weeds. You might even consider ripping out shrubbery or plants that really don't suit your taste. Once you have the space cleaned up, it will already be looking much better.
If you are fortunate enough to have a deck or patio, even if it is a plain cement patio, then this gives you an edge over a yard that is just dirt or grass. Clean up the patio or deck and re-stain the wood if that is needed. Then add a careful selection of patio furnishings, perhaps an umbrella-shaded table and some comfortable chairs or an outdoor sofa with coffee tables. An outdoor rug also will spruce up the area, and these can be purchased at many home improvement stores.
If you don't have a patio or decking, you can create your own fairly easily. Remove the grass from the area where you wish to have your patio, taking care to remove any large stones, rocks or roots. Cover the area with gravel and then top the space with bricks. You can create just about any brick pattern you like. Fill in the cracks between the bricks with more gravel and your patio is done. You can cover the area with a large lawn canopy, place furniture on top of the bricks and you will have a beautiful, inexpensive outdoor space.
Adding a special water feature, such as a bird bath or a fountain is always a great idea. For a birdbath, find a level area and remove a circular spot of grass about two feet wider than the birdbath itself. You can even plant flowers around the base of the bath to increase its beauty. You have probably seen pictures of bird baths surrounded by flowers and a tiny white iron fence.
To install a bird bath, you just need a flat spot of yard or you can place it on your patio. Before installing either feature in your yard, they will need to be cleaned and rinsed thoroughly. To clean, simply use a scrub brush and water as soaps and cleaners can leave residues that are harmful for birds and other animals.
To maintain fresh water, just toss in a Healthy Ponds Birdbath Cleaner or Fountain Cleaner and the water will stay fresh throughout the month. These cleaners contain helpful strains of bacteria that fight algae growth and keep water safe and clean. They are veterinarian-approved and safe for birds, pets and people. The cleaners are actually small dispensers that hold small bacteria packs, which biodegrade over 30 days. After the 30 days are up, just add a new pack and the water will continue to remain safe and clean.
Your first step should be to clean up the entire yard. Remove any old and ugly furnishings and get rid of weeds. You might even consider ripping out shrubbery or plants that really don't suit your taste. Once you have the space cleaned up, it will already be looking much better.
If you are fortunate enough to have a deck or patio, even if it is a plain cement patio, then this gives you an edge over a yard that is just dirt or grass. Clean up the patio or deck and re-stain the wood if that is needed. Then add a careful selection of patio furnishings, perhaps an umbrella-shaded table and some comfortable chairs or an outdoor sofa with coffee tables. An outdoor rug also will spruce up the area, and these can be purchased at many home improvement stores.
If you don't have a patio or decking, you can create your own fairly easily. Remove the grass from the area where you wish to have your patio, taking care to remove any large stones, rocks or roots. Cover the area with gravel and then top the space with bricks. You can create just about any brick pattern you like. Fill in the cracks between the bricks with more gravel and your patio is done. You can cover the area with a large lawn canopy, place furniture on top of the bricks and you will have a beautiful, inexpensive outdoor space.
Adding a special water feature, such as a bird bath or a fountain is always a great idea. For a birdbath, find a level area and remove a circular spot of grass about two feet wider than the birdbath itself. You can even plant flowers around the base of the bath to increase its beauty. You have probably seen pictures of bird baths surrounded by flowers and a tiny white iron fence.
To install a bird bath, you just need a flat spot of yard or you can place it on your patio. Before installing either feature in your yard, they will need to be cleaned and rinsed thoroughly. To clean, simply use a scrub brush and water as soaps and cleaners can leave residues that are harmful for birds and other animals.
To maintain fresh water, just toss in a Healthy Ponds Birdbath Cleaner or Fountain Cleaner and the water will stay fresh throughout the month. These cleaners contain helpful strains of bacteria that fight algae growth and keep water safe and clean. They are veterinarian-approved and safe for birds, pets and people. The cleaners are actually small dispensers that hold small bacteria packs, which biodegrade over 30 days. After the 30 days are up, just add a new pack and the water will continue to remain safe and clean.
About the Author:
Roland Stockwell enjoys writing about natural products. To find some great products for pond algae treatment, or to learn further about other products like fountain cleaner, please go to the Bioverse website today.