Tips on how to prepare your backyard for summer in Central Texas

With cool summers of about 79°, Central Texas is a great place to relax outdoors with company. College Station, in particular, has an array of things you can do with friends, from watching a college football game to lounging at the Knox Wine Bar. One of Livability.com’s 100 Best Places to Live in 2019, this university town even has a bustling nightlife at Northgate and a premier retail area in Century Square. But sometimes nothing is more relaxing than an evening out on the patio surrounded by flowers and the nighttime sounds of nature. An unkempt backyard will only ruin the mood. And if you remember that you want to sell your house in the future or get that security deposit back when you move out, a messy yard will definitely be a value-diminishing eyesore. You will only get that spectacular summer yard by planning ahead. While there is a treasure trove of gardening tips on the internet, we have compiled the best ways to achieve that breathtaking summer backyard. Read on and find out how you can make your outdoor space so inviting, your friends will choose barbecue at your place over a table at the best restaurants in College Station.

Clean the patio

Check out your patio. Does it need a fresh coat of paint to liven it up or a new set of furniture to make the area more inviting? If so, do it. Throw in decorative accents and potted plants for added interest.

Use herbs as ornaments

You can also opt for containers of herbs scattered throughout the patio. Choose flowering herbs like rosemary, oregano, and basil. Or thyme, sage, and mint, and chervil that adapt well to the Texan climate. When you throw a barbecue, create a side salad using the herbs in your patio.

Add seasonal blooms

Speaking of décor, annual flowers can add a pop of color and fragrance to your backyard. If you want, choose blooms that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds with their pollen and nectar, like fragrant mimosas, rock roses, birds of paradise, and columbines. If you’re not into plants, your local landscaper can recommend decorative rocks and boulders to spruce up your backyard.

Secure the mulch

Mulch can be grass clippings, wood chips, leaves, or any kind of covering that you spread over soil. It keeps the water in, the weeds out, and the plants happy and healthy. Well-maintained mulch also makes your yard look clean and attractive, boosting your curb appeal.

Mow the lawn

Make sure you cut your grass regularly to keep your backyard manicured and party ready. Consult your landscaper if you need other ideas that will make your lawn stand out even more.

Check your plants’ health

While colorful flowers and ornamental trees and shrubs will do wonders to your backyard’s overall appeal, your efforts will only be wasted if your plants die on you. Check your plants regularly to ensure they are disease- and pest-free. You should also keep the numbers of your local landscapers and arborists just in case you need help on yard issues.

Protect your lawn from the scorching heat

Your grass needs the right nutrients to last through the summer, especially in scorching temperatures. It may turn yellow in the heat so make sure to pay it more attention during this time. Mow less frequently because newly cut grass is more sensitive to the hot sun. If needed, look for organic, time-release fertilizer that won’t burn your lawn. Consult your landscaper or inquire from a gardening supplies store.

Loosen up the soil

Apart from nutrients, your backyard also needs access to air and water to keep healthy all summer. Make sure to aerate your soil. You can use chopsticks to poke the soil around your potted plants to let the air in. For larger patches, you can push a shovel into the soil and lift. You can also ask your landscaper whether a plug or spike aerator is best for your backyard.

Check the competition

Before you start overhauling your yard, read up on what other homeowners are doing to make their gardens a dream. Who knows? You might find a buyer in the future, or get on your landlord’s good side. If you live in Brazen County, TX, you can also contact a real estate professional at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Caliber Realty. They can give you tips on improving your current house before you put in on the market. Just call 979.694.8844 or send an email to sales(at)bhhscaliber(dotted)com.

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