Take Yard Work Off Your To-Do List

Published Date: May 13, 2013

It's beginning to look a lot like summer, everywhere we go. Perennials poking up through the ground, daffodils and tulips blooming, and dull brown grass coming back to shades of green. Along with all the fun things of spring, comes a new routine. It's also time to oil up the lawn mower, get out the fertilizer and weed killer, and the hand hoe to get rid of those nasty weeds. Or, you can skip all that and design your yard not just to be beautiful, but to be more relaxing. With additions like paver patios, decks, and artificial turf, you can create a space for relaxing instead of a place for doing weekend chores.

Here are some ideas for taking the work out of your backyard, while adding to the lazy days of summer:

Pave it: Who says you have to fill your entire yard with grass? In fact, it is more limiting if you do. By paving parts of your lawn with stone walkways, and patio areas, you not only add architectural interest, but functionality too, while eliminating the work zones of time consuming lawns and flower beds. You can create stable sitting areas, foundations for tables, and walkways that divide your space into mini rooms outdoors.

Turf it: Forget the hours of labor every week to water, mow, weed and fertilize your lawn. Replace it with artificial turf that looks and feels like the real thing. The only thing you need to do to enjoy artificial turf is simply walk outside. Nothing more is needed to experience the soft feel under your feet and the vibrant pop of color it adds to your yard.

Cover it: Rather than running inside your house ever time a rain cloud bursts overhead, get an umbrella the really big ones. Pergolas, made for yards, come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and can be easily installed over sitting areas, over patios, tables, and grass to enable you to stay outside in all types of summer weather and soak in the smells and sounds of nature, instead of being cooped up inside.

Deck it: Create more usable space with gorgeous, easy-to-maintain composite decking. Designed to last for years of enjoyment, a deck adds visual interest to your home while adding a whole new hang out spot for friends and family to get together. Instead of mowing an unused patch of lawn, you could be dining on your new deck or sharing coffee and conversation with friends!

Whatever you do, be sure to spend more time doing what you love this season. It's your property. Make the most of it.