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6 Ways on How Homeowners Can Create an Oasis in Their Backyard

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It is of vital importance that we unwind now and again, especially after a hard day at work. Spending hours staring at a computer screen, or doing physical work can take its toll on both the mind and the body. However, jetting off to a remote beach isn’t always an option. Since the pandemic began in early 2020, travel restrictions have been put in place. Although a lot of these restrictions have been lifted, people are still opting to spend more time at home.

You might not have known how lucky you were to have a backyard on your property prior to the pandemic. However, when the coronavirus started spreading across the globe and governments started to enforce lockdowns to help reduce the spread of the virus, homeowners were able to enjoy the great outdoors without having to put others at risk by relaxing in their backyards. These unprecedented times have motivated a lot of people to invest in their yard to make it even more appealing. Some find it the best area to relax, and by making transformations to your yard, you can create a tranquil environment where you can switch off from the rest of the world. Here’s how to turn your backyard into an oasis:

How Homeowners can Create an Oasis In their Backyard

1. Swimming Pool

You don’t need to install an Olympic sized swimming pool at home, but a small sized outdoor pool can completely transform your property. Most swimming pool companies offer a range of different pools, so you are bound to find one that suits your yard. There is nothing better than diving into your own pool at home during a hot day. Kids can spend hours splashing around without getting bored. It will encourage your friends and family members to pop over for a visit (which might be a good or bad thing!) more often. You can spend your afternoons relaxing in the pool, but swimming is also a great exercise. Click here to know how to make your pool sustainable.

However, purchasing a pool can cost a pretty penny, and the maintenance cost can add up too. You will need lots of cleaning equipment and chemicals to keep it spotless. If there are small children in your family, make sure that you install a sturdy fence around the pool so kids are unable to gain access to it.

2. Install a Deck

If you have a lot of free time on your hands, you might be interested in designing and building a deck in your yard. A deck is a great place for families and friends to enjoy a meal and socialize with one another. Kids can enjoy playing in the yard while their parents can keep an eye on them while relaxing on the deck. Some people hold birthday celebrations and other events on their deck, especially during a nice day.

A deck creates another space for people to hang out, which is ideal if you are expecting a lot of visitors. You can set up a BBQ on the deck, along with tables and chairs. Families can enjoy eating outside on the deck on a regular basis.

ways to increase the value of your home

Installing a deck without experience can prove challenging, especially if you don’t have the proper tools on hand. You will want to make sure your deck is completely safe so nobody sustains an injury while on it. It might be a good investment to hire a reputable company like McNish deck builders Orlando to build and install your deck.

If you wanted to go all out, you could consider installing an outdoor kitchen on your deck. Outdoor kitchens are becoming extremely popular nowadays, and if you love to cook, then it might prove to be a superb investment.

3. Plant Flowers

Unlike installing a pool or a deck, planting flowers is easy, so you don’t need to spend money on hiring a professional to do it for you. You don’t have to be an expert to plant and enjoy flowers, and you can even get the kids to give you a helping hand. They will add color to your landscape and brighten up your property. When the flowers are in bloom, you can take cuttings and give them away as a gift or put them in a vase in your home.

Gardening itself can be a lot of fun, and it can help reduce feelings of stress. It’s an inexpensive hobby people of all ages can enjoy. Flowers can help add curb appeal to your home, so if you are planning on selling down the line, you can expect potential buyers to take notice. Consider hanging plants in different areas around your yard as this can help add to the ambiance of your home.

4. Declutter

Adding new things to your backyard is one thing, but sometimes taking away a few items is the best way of creating a backyard oasis. If there are lots of objects lying around your yard, it is going to be hard to feel relaxed. It might be time to dump some of the items in your yard or move them to a different area if you want to create a peaceful environment. Get rid of things that aren’t any use to you, even if they have been in the same position for several years.

For example, if there are children’s swings in your yard but the kids don’t seem to use them anymore, perhaps it’s time to give them away or put them up for sale. You can then utilize this free space for something else. Damaged furniture can be an eyesore, so either refurbish them or replace them with new comfortable tables and chairs.

5. Invest in Solar Powered Outdoor Lighting

Solar powered outdoor lighting to help enhance the mood of your backyard. You won’t need any electrical wires connecting to the mains in the house if you invest in solar powered lights, and you should have no issues installing these lights into the ground. You can create a pathway around your yard with lights, or even use them for security purposes. Some even have a dimmer feature so you can alter the brightness of the lights depending on the type of atmosphere you are hoping to create.

solar-powered-lights

Solar powered lighting won’t increase your utility bills and they are extremely easy to maintain. Most online marketplaces stock a variety of solar powered devices, so you should easily find nice lights for your home. A compact 200W solar panel is more than enough to handle your lighting needs.

6. Build a Fire Pit

Another area where people like to socialize with one another is by a fire pit. A fire pit or an outdoor fireplace could be exactly what your yard needs to transform it from a basic yard to an oasis. Building a fire pit is easy, and there are several DIY stores selling all the equipment you will need to create this beautiful feature. Having a fire in your yard can provide people with heat and comfort. Even when the temperatures drop, your guests and family members might want to stay outside by the fire.

If you do install a firepit, make sure that young children are aware of the dangers that a fire can cause. Consider having fire safety equipment, like a fire blanket and an extinguisher close by in case an accident occurs. Before calling it a night, make sure that you put the fire out.

5 Small, Positive Environmental Differences You Can Make in Your Backyard

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We’re all struggling to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint and make a difference in the fight against climate change. However, sometimes it feels like a lost cause – how can one person change things?

The truth is that everything makes a difference. The better each person looks after the Earth, the more the environment can sustain itself and recover. Here are a few small changes you can make in your own garden.

Positive Differences to Make in Your Backyard

1. Look After Your Soil

A vegetable patch is one of the great delights of a garden. Growing your own produce is satisfying, sustainable, and delicious. However, soil that fosters crops year after year gets tired, just as we do when we work our jobs for too long without a break.

Regenerative agriculture is a farming practice that takes care of the soil used to grow crops. This is achieved by giving the soil a break once in a while. This can be done by rotating crops, so one patch of soil isn’t used for one especially labor-intensive crop each year, or by simply giving a field a year off.

You can do this on a smaller scale in your yard. If you’ve been using the same part of your garden as a vegetable patch for a few years, consider switching it out with another one. Refertilize the soil in your veg patch and give it time to rest. Let the worms improve it and perhaps grow some less intensive crops like wildflowers in that patch for a year. It’ll be ready to grow crops again the next year, and they’ll be all the better for being grown in rested, regenerated soil.

Also Read: Home Improvement and Eco-Conscious Plant Care

2. Get a Compost Bin

One of the easiest ways you can benefit the environment is by composting waste rather than throwing it away. Landfills have a devastating impact on the environment, and the less we put in them, the better.

Composting fruit and vegetable waste along with recyclable material like cardboard is a great start. It also means you’ll have a ready supply of high-quality compost to mulch through your soil once it breaks down, which regenerates the soil and helps you grow healthier plants!

benefits of applying compost in garden

3. Grow Plants That Attract Pollinators

Another excellent tip is to grow more wildflowers and pollinator-friendly plants. The best choices may surprise you – garden centers and bees don’t always agree on what the best plants are for your garden. Some wildflowers look slightly unkempt compared to neat hedgerows, but your local bee population will appreciate it. And the bees need help!

Likewise, it’s not just the pretty, dopey bumblebees that act as pollinators. Hoverflies and even wasps play a critical role in local ecosystems. We know – attracting wasps is a hard sell. But these insects are crucial to our environment’s survival. They’ll appreciate the help.

bee-friendly garden

4. Avoid Pesticides and Weedkillers

Pesticides and weedkillers are terrible for the environment. Some organic options are less harmful, but ultimately, the less you can use these, the better.

There are exceptions. An ant infestation needs to be dealt with as soon as it appears. But if you can avoid spraying pesticides and weedkillers over your garden, it’ll be a happier place.

5. Nurture Fungi

If you see mushrooms growing in your yard, it’s a sign of a healthy ecosystem! Fungi break down dying plant matter, and they’re to be welcomed. Again, exceptions can be made – for example, if you have small children who might get a bit too inquisitive.

Final Thoughts

Your yard is the best place to start doing your bit for the environment. A few small changes make a big difference – nobody is too small to help!