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When the warm temperatures finally hit, the backyard becomes an ideal place to entertain or take refuge at home. That said, five months of winter has a way of taking its toll on the decks, lawns, gardens, pools and structures that make up the backyard. And even in the warmer months, there are still many homeowners who have trouble getting their backyards to a place where they can take pride in it.
As is the case with many projects around the home, it’s easy to know that you want something changed in the backyard, but far more difficult to figure out exactly how or when to change it. Even when it comes to the obvious tasks that are essential to getting your backyard up and running, it’s hard to find the time or the energy. That’s why we’ve compiled this mix of essential tasks and fun ideas to help inspire your backyard refresh for the warmer months.
1. Repair, Replace or Refurbish the Deck
Between exposure to the elements and seasonal neglect, backyard decks can quickly degrade both aesthetically and structurally. The wood can become weak, faded, rotten, water damaged and split as the seasons progress.
If you’re deck has structural damage, or you’re looking to install a brand new design, Jiffy can connect you with amazing Pros that specialize in decks to bring your vision to life. If you are exploring a new build, consider modern materials, built-in lighting and accessories such as railings, latticing and shade features to optimize the look and functionality.
If you’re just looking to refurbish the state of your current deck, powerwashing, staining and resealing the surface is an ideal way to create the right conditions for relaxing or entertaining in the backyard. Plus, a freshly stained and sealed deck can add colour and personality to the outside of your home. When it comes to choosing a stain, it’s important to consider both the colour and the opacity of the finish. A subtle, clearer finish works to showcase the natural beauty of the wood, whereas a solid colour finish can add a bold accent to your home’s exterior.
2. Bring the Lawn Back to Life
A clean, well-designed backyard doesn’t mean much if it’s framing an unkempt lawn. Because the lawn is such an essential component of the space, lawn care should the top priority going into the warmer months. This is especially true in colder climates after winter has taken its inevitable toll on the green space around your home. Lawn maintenance tasks include clearing debris, aerating, reseeding certain dead or dying areas, pulling weeds, watering and mowing when necessary. When the time comes to prepare the lawn for summer, Jiffy can connect you with lawn maintenance Pros that can get the job done right.
3. Fix and Clean the BBQ
The BBQ is the centrepiece of backyard life once the weather gets warm. A well-performing grill is the MVP of those backyard parties and family get-togethers, as well as a great excuse to simply spend more time outdoors. As a result, ensuring that your BBQ is both clean and in perfect working order is an essential, yet often overlooked task at this time of year.
A Jiffy Pro can address stubborn cases of caked-on grease, grime and ensure that your BBQ is carcinogen-free before the grilling season starts. Our BBQ repair Pros completely disassemble, scrub, de-grease, wash, inspect, and polish each component to make it look, feel and perform like new. The entire process takes 2-3 hours and you don’t even need to be home for it. After a comprehensive cleaning and any necessary repairs, your grill will be in perfect shape for the first backyard barbecue of the season.
4. Create Levels in the Garden
Now that the essentials are taken care of, it’s time to start thinking about how to both rejuvenate and create bold new gardening areas in the backyard. One trend that has been gaining plenty of steam recently is creating tiered garden spaces. By contrasting the use of flat-ground garden beds with raised beds and planter boxes, you can create dramatic levels to elevate your backyard both literally and figuratively! Creating different garden levels in the backyard is also perfect for urban living where space is harder to come by. Planter boxes are also an excellent way to minimize excessive weed growth around your plants.
5. Create Dramatic Transitions
The backyard is an ideal place to break with convention and experiment with unique configurations. The landscaping in your backyard doesn’t have to be limited to a square slab of grass, perimeter gardens and a deck. Large, curved garden beds can create dramatic borders for your lawn that will give your backyard a unique look. If curved borders aren’t for you, experiment with sharper, more unconventional borders between the lawn’s green space and mixed materials such as wood chips, concrete, stone slabs and decorative gravel stones. There truly are no rules when it comes to how you can frame and accentuate your lawn’s beautiful green space.
6. Update or Add Backyard Fencing
Fencing doesn’t simply have to be a practical addition to your property line. Though fences do provide separation, privacy and security, they can be so much more if the design is taken into consideration. It’s essential to think of both functionality and aesthetics. Depending on your preferences and budget, iron fencing, horizontal slats, diagonal slats, picket fencing, vinyl fencing or even repurposed pallet fences are all excellent options. You can even use fencing to expand your garden. Climber wall fences are specifically designed to allow climbing flowers and vegetables to grow up the latticework. These types of fences can even function as a standalone statement wall in your backyard.
7. Repurpose the Backyard Shed
Whether you’re looking for another place to gather with friends or another place to get some peace and quiet at home, the answer may be closer than you think. That boring backyard shed doesn’t simply have to be a dumping ground for tools and gardening equipment. Adding higher-end design elements to a rundown shed can transform it into a beautiful, modern, usable space. This trend has been gaining steam over the last little while, and people are now converting these sheds into bars, bunkhouses, man-caves, amazing playhouses for the kids, “she-sheds” and even home-office spaces.
Jiffy Can Help With Your Backyard Projects
Whether it’s prep work or aesthetic improvements, Jiffy can help you get your backyard projects completed quickly and to a high standard. While we don’t undertake full-scale backyard redesigns, Jiffy dispatches high-quality, vetted Pros that can help with lawn & garden care, BBQ repair, decks & fencing, and powerwashing, staining & sealing various surfaces around the yard.
The booking process couldn’t be simpler: simply select your desired service on our website or mobile app, fill in your order details and location, identify the timing that works best for you and we will dispatch the nearest Pro at the requested time. Sign up today and see how we provide fast and reliable home maintenance for less.
