Home, sweet home. Source of rejuvenation, joy, and comfort. Your safe and blissful nest. Last year may have seen you spending more time in it than you’d have preferred, so spice things up and add a fresh feel with one of our simple outdoor project possibilities.
privacy nook
What would your perfect outdoor nest look like? A comfy indoor/outdoor lounge chair or two with a table handy is a great start. From there you can add wind chimes, a gazing ball, an improvised fire pit, or whatever else strikes your fancy.
container gardens
Flowers, herbs, and veggies thrive in containers, and there’s no weeding and minimal watering involved. Pots of ornamental grasses can make for a privacy screen for your nook.
outdoor kitchen
This is a wonderful resource for those sweltering days when you just ain’t feeling the whole hot-stove thing. It can be as simple as a decent cooler and a grill and table, as fancy as custom stonework. You’ll want it to be on a fairly level surface, with water handy (the hose will work fine).
solar lighting
Solar lighting for the yard adds zero to the electric bill and comes in all kinds of enticing forms, from spotlights for illumination to color-shifting strings for enchantment. Hang it from a planter. Wrap a tree branch. Good lighting outdoors adds safety, and it’s beautiful to gaze on it twinkling in the dark.
fall garden planning
Sit in your nook and dream up exactly what shapes and colors would delight you next spring. You have till autumn to choose and plant the bulbs; next spring comes the sweet reward. Longer-term, you can also plan out a personal food forest with berry bushes and trees.
stock tank hot tub
With very little modification, those large black rubber or galvanized stock tanks can be repurposed into spa tubs for less than an actual Jacuzzi. You’ll need a level surface with drainage. Find them at big feed stores like Tractor Supply, and check out simple DIY directions available online.
game time!
Get a badminton net (works for volleyball too), a croquet set, maybe a tub full of Super Soakers for target shooting or friendly combat. Kids large and small will thrive. (If your yard has a hill, think about a waterslide too.)
Random tip
Create a de-mudding space near your back door or porch with a bucket or sink for handwashing, a hose with spray nozzle, a couple of old towels, and room to stow garden equipment, boots, or outdoor toys.
