8 Ways to Get Your Backyard Ready for Spring
Grab your gardening tools and boots – it’s time to do some planting, trimming and revamping as the seasons change
Kerryn Ramsey
29 August 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator, reporting for print and digital articles on architecture, design, travel and business.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator,... More
Don those plastic boots and grab your gardening tools – it’s time to freshen up your outdoor area, even if there still is a chill in the air. As winter draws to a close, and spring arrives, it’s the perfect time time to trim plants, oil the deck, freshen up your outdoor furniture and add some new, interesting elements. And to make the outdoor area more inviting, it’s a great time to add some heating, too.
Here are eight ways to revitalise your backyard in time for spring.
Here are eight ways to revitalise your backyard in time for spring.
1. Trim and shape
An out-of-control garden bed can be easily tamed in while the weather’s still cool; trimming will help keep trees and shrubs nice and compact. Use hedge trimmers (try an electric model to make life easier), followed by a good feed and some watering.
To create a tropical vibe, add bamboo – since it grows quickly, it will eventually hide the timber fence. And if the garden bed is deep enough to add an additional row of plants, make sure they’re evenly spaced. Simply grab a measuring tape to get it right.
An out-of-control garden bed can be easily tamed in while the weather’s still cool; trimming will help keep trees and shrubs nice and compact. Use hedge trimmers (try an electric model to make life easier), followed by a good feed and some watering.
To create a tropical vibe, add bamboo – since it grows quickly, it will eventually hide the timber fence. And if the garden bed is deep enough to add an additional row of plants, make sure they’re evenly spaced. Simply grab a measuring tape to get it right.
2. DIY designer fence
Fences certainly provide privacy and security but are rarely treated as a work of art. So why not unleash your creativity by adding striking materials and finishes? Draw inspiration from other elements in the backyard from flooring material to pot plants. Look at shapes, lines and textures, and make sure it all flows seamlessly with the interior. Experiment with a splash of colour – adding a thin strip in a vibrant hue makes a strong statement, but the good news is that it’s easy to paint over at a later date if you change your mind.
Fences certainly provide privacy and security but are rarely treated as a work of art. So why not unleash your creativity by adding striking materials and finishes? Draw inspiration from other elements in the backyard from flooring material to pot plants. Look at shapes, lines and textures, and make sure it all flows seamlessly with the interior. Experiment with a splash of colour – adding a thin strip in a vibrant hue makes a strong statement, but the good news is that it’s easy to paint over at a later date if you change your mind.
3. Add outdoor heating
Outdoor entertaining can be an all-year affair – all that’s required is an effective heating unit. For a fully fitted option, a gas fireplace or infra-red radiant heater can be installed. But if you prefer a moveable option, try a brazier, chiminea, patio heater or the simple but stylish fire pit. While fire pits can have a Mid-century Palm Springs ambience, the latest models have a 21st-century feel, using ethanol rather than wood. The heating capacity and efficiency is just as effective as a wood-burning pit, but there’s no need to collect firewood. Remember, outdoor heaters get very hot – even ethanol fireplaces have open flames – so make sure any heating unit is positioned safely and children and pets are well monitored.
The lowdown on fire pits
Outdoor entertaining can be an all-year affair – all that’s required is an effective heating unit. For a fully fitted option, a gas fireplace or infra-red radiant heater can be installed. But if you prefer a moveable option, try a brazier, chiminea, patio heater or the simple but stylish fire pit. While fire pits can have a Mid-century Palm Springs ambience, the latest models have a 21st-century feel, using ethanol rather than wood. The heating capacity and efficiency is just as effective as a wood-burning pit, but there’s no need to collect firewood. Remember, outdoor heaters get very hot – even ethanol fireplaces have open flames – so make sure any heating unit is positioned safely and children and pets are well monitored.
The lowdown on fire pits
4. Blitz the barbecue
While the barbecue often gets little attention during the chilly months, it’s worth giving it a good clean and making sure everything is in working order. If it’s looking a little worse for wear, it might be time to update – the latest ranges offer many options such as warming racks, wok burners and viewing windows. Large units can include slide-out drawers, LED lighting and even a full sink. It’s also worth comparing different finishes to suit your exterior – stainless steel or black vitreous enamel are long-lasting and easy to clean.
While the barbecue often gets little attention during the chilly months, it’s worth giving it a good clean and making sure everything is in working order. If it’s looking a little worse for wear, it might be time to update – the latest ranges offer many options such as warming racks, wok burners and viewing windows. Large units can include slide-out drawers, LED lighting and even a full sink. It’s also worth comparing different finishes to suit your exterior – stainless steel or black vitreous enamel are long-lasting and easy to clean.
5. Adopt planter boxes
Planter boxes can provide instant height and define edges. If you’ve found it difficult to keep plants healthy in a box, the key is drainage. Keeping holes open at the base of the walls, however, is just not enough. The trick is adding a 100mm layer of river gravel to line the base of the planter box, combined with a 75mm-diameter ag line attached to the drainage area. Getting the right soil is also essential, so rather than a standard soil mix, use one with extra-coarse river sand. This will further improve drainage.
Planter boxes can provide instant height and define edges. If you’ve found it difficult to keep plants healthy in a box, the key is drainage. Keeping holes open at the base of the walls, however, is just not enough. The trick is adding a 100mm layer of river gravel to line the base of the planter box, combined with a 75mm-diameter ag line attached to the drainage area. Getting the right soil is also essential, so rather than a standard soil mix, use one with extra-coarse river sand. This will further improve drainage.
6. Freshen up the shed
If your shed is overcrowded or full of cobwebs, it’s time to have a clean out. After removing unwanted products and tools (usually Father’s Day presents!), it’s time to rework the space. Storage shelves are available in various sizes and can be freeform or fully installed. Wall-mounted cupboards, hooks, baskets and boxes are available and, depending on the space, a workbench and stool is a dream come true for any home handyman or woman. Remember, make sure there’s enough room to store larger equipment such as the mower, pool gear, paint cans and even an esky (a necessity if the workbench is regularly used!).
If your shed is overcrowded or full of cobwebs, it’s time to have a clean out. After removing unwanted products and tools (usually Father’s Day presents!), it’s time to rework the space. Storage shelves are available in various sizes and can be freeform or fully installed. Wall-mounted cupboards, hooks, baskets and boxes are available and, depending on the space, a workbench and stool is a dream come true for any home handyman or woman. Remember, make sure there’s enough room to store larger equipment such as the mower, pool gear, paint cans and even an esky (a necessity if the workbench is regularly used!).
7. Plan outdoor furniture and accessories
Your lounge room is no longer just inside the home – an outdoor entertaining area now boasts stylish furniture with weather-resistant fabrics and decorative elements that bring personality to the space. A mix of sofas, day beds, ottomans, coffee tables, stools and hammocks all come together – simply follow a style with similar materials or colours for continuity as you would inside the home. Area rugs, cushions, solar lamps, wall art, trays and other eclectic pieces all follow this theory.
Shop outdoor furniture on Houzz
Your lounge room is no longer just inside the home – an outdoor entertaining area now boasts stylish furniture with weather-resistant fabrics and decorative elements that bring personality to the space. A mix of sofas, day beds, ottomans, coffee tables, stools and hammocks all come together – simply follow a style with similar materials or colours for continuity as you would inside the home. Area rugs, cushions, solar lamps, wall art, trays and other eclectic pieces all follow this theory.
Shop outdoor furniture on Houzz
8. Install a water feature
No space is too small for a water feature, whether you prefer a bowl with floating candles or a large urn with a waterfall. Apart from bringing serenity to a space, it can turn even the most compact backyard into a sanctuary. It reflects light and, when running, provides white noise to block out any city clamour. Note that even in winter evaporation will mean that the water level will need to be topped up fairly regularly.
Browse more garden photos
TELL US
What’s on your spring garden to-do list? Share with us in the comments section below.
No space is too small for a water feature, whether you prefer a bowl with floating candles or a large urn with a waterfall. Apart from bringing serenity to a space, it can turn even the most compact backyard into a sanctuary. It reflects light and, when running, provides white noise to block out any city clamour. Note that even in winter evaporation will mean that the water level will need to be topped up fairly regularly.
Browse more garden photos
TELL US
What’s on your spring garden to-do list? Share with us in the comments section below.
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The shed looks better than my house :(