How to Prepare Your Yard for the Ultimate Summer Party
Throw a backyard party that your guests will rave about all summer long
Imagine the perfect summer backyard party: The kids are playing lawn games, the adults are grilling out and enjoying drinks on the patio, and everyone watches fireworks together at the end of the night. In order to make that kind of picture-perfect party a reality, you’ll need to put some time and effort into the preparation.
Whether you’re planning a laid-back afternoon barbecue or an intimate outdoor dinner party, follow these tips to prepare your home’s outdoor area for guests. That way, you can relax and enjoy the festivities alongside your family and friends.
1. Optimize Your Grass-Watering Schedule
Now is the perfect time to show off the lawn you’ve worked so hard to maintain. To ensure your grass looks green and healthy when your guests arrive, consider watering at dawn or in the early evening the night before the party. Keep in mind that it can get too hot to water the grass during the day, especially on afternoons when it’s 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
2. Conduct Swimming Pool Maintenance
If you have a swimming pool, it’s almost guaranteed to be full of eager-to-swim kids during the party. Prepare your pool for the many cannonballs and handstand contests by conducting DIY pool maintenance. These tasks include checking the pool’s pH balance, chlorine levels, and alkalinity and adjusting when necessary. Then, clear the water of any leaves or other debris with a skimmer net and use a pool brush to clean the sides of the walls.
If you need assistance with your pool maintenance, hire a swimming pool cleaner near you to take this task off of your to-do list.
3. Create a Mosquito-Free Zone
Nothing kills the vibe of an outdoor party faster than a swarm of mosquitos. While it’s impossible to completely ward off these uninvited guests, there are several ways to deter them from crashing the party.
Get rid of mosquitos by draining areas with standing water, such as clogged gutters or bird feeders. In mosquito-prone areas, you can also use EPA-registered natural and synthetic mosquito repellants like yard, body, and fabric sprays. If you’re concerned about mosquitoes or other pests following the guests inside, install a temporary insect net on your exterior doors.
4. Clean Your Outdoor Kitchen
Summer is the ideal time to showcase your outdoor kitchen—not to mention your grilling skills. A few hours before your guests arrive, take the time to spruce up your grill, and if you have one, disinfect the appliances and surfaces in your outdoor kitchen. Scrub and restock the outdoor fridge, wipe down the countertops, and take care of any other cleaning tasks needed to reset your space.
If you want professional help cleaning your outdoor kitchen before the party starts, hire a house cleaner near you to get it in tip-top shape. To help your pro prepare for this specific task request, ask them specifically if they offer outdoor kitchen cleaning before they arrive.
5. Remove Yard Debris
If you’ve been putting off clearing away the rogue leaves, debris, and grass clippings in your yard, now is the time to get it done. Start by collecting the yard debris and clippings, and then get rid of them by following best practices for yard waste removal like recycling or composting.
Not sure where to start? Hire a yard clean-up service near you to help tidy your outdoor space while reducing waste.
6. Add Shade to Your Backyard
An outdoor summer party is all fun and games until the temperature reaches triple digits. Shading your backyard or patio area will make the space more comfortable during the hottest, stickiest days of the summer.
There are tons of ways to add shade to your backyard, including installing patio umbrellas, putting in a patio cover, and adding a privacy screen. For a more permanent solution, consider building a pergola or a gazebo in your yard as a way to beat the heat.
7. Protect Your Roof From Firework Damage
There’s nothing quite like watching a fireworks display light up the night sky on the Fourth of July. However, if the fireworks are set off close to your home, your roof could be at risk of damage or fire.
Take a few precautions before the holiday to ensure your roof remains clear and safe. Start by cleaning your gutters and roof of any leaves, debris, and needles. Then, cut back any low-hanging or dead tree branches. If you need assistance with these outdoor maintenance tasks, call a handyperson near you to help.