Spring is in full swing here in the Okanagan, with plenty of sunny days and warmer temperatures. And that means summer (our favourite season) is just around the corner! That said, it’s time to start thinking about the outdoor spaces of our homes and making a plan so that we can enjoy them to their full extent this season. Here are 8 steps to get your backyard ready for summer in Kelowna.
1. Weeding
It’s not the most fun activity but it is important, so let’s just get this one out of the way first. After winter, our gardens can be looking quite shabby, and plenty of weeds start spreading in spring. Spend some time raking up any dead leaves and debris leftover from winter. Then, go through your garden and use a hoe or get your hands dirty pulling up those weeds. This will immediately make your garden look tidier and well cared-for.
Once the weeds are gone, cover flower and vegetable beds and the areas around shrubs and trees with mulch to keep them from coming back. This also helps to keep the soil moist and cool during hot summer days.
2. Lawn Care
With the weeds tackled, it’s time to spruce up the lawn. Get out the lawn mower and give your grass a good cut, using a trimmer around the edges. If there are any bare spots, lay down some grass seeds to fill them in.
Aerating your lawn is also an important step that helps your grass obtain air, water, and nutrients. Once all that is done, fertilize and water your lawn well, and in a few short weeks you’ll have a lush backyard of healthy green grass.
3. Get Planting
If you haven’t already done so, now is a great time to start planting your summer garden. Plant flowers that will bring both beautiful colour and helpful pollinators to your garden. Growing your own food is also an easy and rewarding hobby, so get out there and plant some tomatoes and other healthy veggies. Consider companion plants when planting to help protect your crops.
Neaten any leftover plants from past seasons by pruning off dead and damaged branches and leaves. This will allow more light to get into the middle of the plant and help it grow stronger. Pruning timing depends on the plant variety; if you’re not sure, a safe bet is to wait until the plant has flowered before pruning.
4. Clean the BBQ
We sure do love our grills here in the Okanagan! It’s important to thoroughly clean your barbecue at the start of each season and after each use. If you haven’t used it in a while, pre-heat the grills for about 10-15 minutes which will help to burn off any old food that can then easily be scraped away.
5. Set Up Your Furniture
Now that all the hard work is out of the way, it’s on to the fun stuff! Break out your patio furniture and give it a good clean. Everyone’s backyard set up will differ, but we love having a table and chairs for outdoor dining and entertaining, a lounge seating area for relaxing and hanging out, and perhaps even a sunbed or hammock for lazy days.
Don’t forget some outdoor cushions and blankets to make it cozy, too! Another great addition to any outdoor space is a good umbrella to add shade and protect your furniture from the elements.
6. Lighting
Lighting is also an important feature of any outdoor space. Install easy solar-powered lights along pathways and around garden beds to illuminate them, helping you enjoy your space late into the summer evenings. Hanging string lights around seating areas is also a nice feature that helps set the mood for entertaining and makes things cozy.
7. Don’t Forget the Wildlife
Don’t forget about the birds and the bees! Your garden will thrive with a little help from Mother Nature. Birds help your yard stay healthy by consuming unwanted insects, while bees play a vital role in pollinating plants which produces better flowers and vegetables for you to enjoy.
Set up a bird feeder with seeds or sugar water for hummingbirds. Plant plenty of flowers that will attract bees. A bird bath is also a nice feature to have; make sure to add a few rocks for bees to rest on, and change out the water regularly so as not to attract mosquitoes. Finally, avoid using pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals in your gardens as these can be toxic to wildlife.
8. Enjoy
Finally, it’s time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and summer weather that we’re blessed with here in the Okanagan. The last step is to sit back, relax, and enjoy all of your hard efforts in setting up your backyard!