#Summer is a great time to do a #kitchen renovation, LifeHacker says, because you can cook food on the outdoor grill for a week or two while the new appliances go in or schedule most of the work while you’re out of town on a road trip. Other good projects to get started on now include #outdoor living renovations (to make the most of the nice weather) such as a deck and heating maintenance (so your furnace is ready when you need it most). Projects you won’t want to tackle under the hot summer sun include roofing and flooring projects. #SummerProjects
Tag: summer
Complete Summer Outdoor Living Projects Now
Concentrate on #household projects in late spring and early #summer that will make the most of your outdoor space. #DIY a bench, deck or fire pit in a weekend and add to your home’s entertainment appeal, or build a planter or vegetable garden that will pay off with fresh food, herbs and flowers for months to come. “What’s the use of balmy weather and long summer days if you can’t hang out in your yard and have some fun?” asks This Old House. “If there’s nowhere good to sit and nothing fun to do at your house, don’t fret. Summer is the perfect time to tackle some easy DIY projects that can transform your outdoor space.” #SummerProjects
Finish Painting Projects Before Summer
Some #household projects can be complicated by the #summer #heat, says The Spruce, so tackle them now or you may have to hold off until fall. For example, it’s best to complete painting jobs before the outside air gets too hot. On indoor jobs, you’ll want to open windows for ventilation, but paint won’t dry properly if the air is too hot and humid, and relying on air conditioning to do the drying can damage HVAC units. Similarly, exterior paints and stains should be applied within a certain temperature range — generally 50°F to 85°F — to adhere properly. #SummerProjects
Dos and Don’ts of a Memorable Summer
There’s no right way or wrong way to do #summer. The warmest season offers opportunity for festive gatherings, home and self-improvement, exploration, education, and relaxation. The Organizing Blog has several checklist items that can make your summer memorable in all of the right ways, however.
Do protect yourself against the sun and #heat. With climate change, extreme heat is becoming more common throughout the year; be alert to your exposure and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Make a habit of wearing SPF30+ sunscreen when engaging in outdoor activities or cover up to block harmful UV rays.
Don’t waste too much time indoors. Shady and air-conditioned as your home might be, many social, cultural and sporting events happen only when the weather is sunny and warm. Get off the couch, turn off the TV and take advantage of all that summer has to offer.
Do throw open the windows, #declutter and #deep-clean. Household projects are easier to accomplish when inclement #weather isn’t slowing you down. Freshening the home while getting some fresh air may even be energizing! Summer is a great time to tackle larger home projects, too — especially if you need to hire help.
Don’t feel like you have to accomplish everything at once. Even type A personalities can benefit from a lazy day, a leisurely walk in the park or a picnic. Reward yourself with a favorite indulgence for the progress you make at work and at home.
Do take a trip. It might be a day in the city, a road trip to a national park or a flight to a faraway beach, but any change of scenery makes things more memorable. Pile the family into the car or call up an old friend; you’ll be making new memories in no time.
Don’t overplan. Even if you aren’t the spontaneous type, allowing flexibility usually pays off with unexpected discoveries. Make list of the things you’d like to accomplish this summer at home and on the road with must-dos at the top; everything else is gravy.
Do take pictures. Almost everyone has a camera in their pocket these days, so record some of the summer memories you’re making as you make them. Share them with friends and family and revisit them often to make this summer one of the most memorable ever!
Get Your Garden off to a Great Start
Mid-May is when most areas put the threat of frost or freeze in the rearview mirror, meaning that it’s finally safe to #plant your favorite #flowers, herbs and #vegetables for summer enjoyment. But whether you’re a beginning grower or a longtime green thumb, it pays to do some prep to get those pots and plots off to a good start.
A container garden is (relatively) easy. Pick a good potting soil and the starter plants you wish to grow. Better Homes & Gardens suggests color-coordinating flowering plants and mixing up heights for a dramatic presentation, while paying attention to their individual demands for light and water. And if you like to cook, try growing your own herbs!
A vegetable garden can be a little trickier. It’s basically a small-scale farm, and farms can’t succeed just anywhere. Start by testing your soil, Almanac says, to make sure you have the right pH and nutrients for optimal plant growth. When you test, you can add fertilizers and other amendments to improve the soil’s texture and viability.
For example, manure enriches the soil with essential nutrients and organic matter, This Old House says; compost improves soil texture and fertility by adding a balanced mix of nutrients and enhances the soil’s water-holding capacity; and peat moss aids moisture retention and aeration while acidifying the soil.
Once your soil is ready, plant the vegetables and flowers you want, paying attention to which are compatible and have similar needs. For example, tomatoes and basil — good together on the plate — are great garden companions because basil deters the pests that target tomatoes, says House Beautiful.
If you want a one-and-done garden plot, try planting a bunch of perennials. Plants such as hostas, daylilies and coneflowers will thrive and spread with little attention, says Epic Gardening, lending splashes of color to your yard. Plant them in the right spots, and all you’ll have to do is thin them occasionally.
Whatever your #gardening goals, now’s the time to get started. Summer won’t last forever, so take an afternoon to plant, and you can enjoy your garden for months — or years — to come!