Conquer Backyard Clutter

Do you have backyard clutter?

It’s the off-season, which means it’s a great time to declutter your backyard so it’s ready when the first signs of spring show up.

You’ve got a great backyard. You might have a swimming pool, a hot tub, a patio or deck area, garden area, a swing set, a play area, and a grill. But if you’re like many of us, things seem to pile up in the backyard. What once looked great now doesn’t look so hot.

So, what are you to do? Now is the time to recycle, toss, or organize. In this article we look at how to conquer backyard clutter and address things that might need to go.

Your Hot Tub

Did you buy your hot tub a long time ago? Is your cover torn and falling apart?

It may be time to either replace your hot tub cover or your hot tub.

At Townley Pool and Spa, we are huge advocates of daily hot tub soaks. We know it makes us feel better everyday. Yet, if your hot tub is so old you can’t remember what decade you bought it in, it’s time to come see us to order a new one!

If you simply haven’t used your hot tub in a few years, and it needs a little maintenance or a new cover, give us a call, and we can help you get it up and running.

Bottomline – if you have a hot tub, you want to use it. It simply makes life better, helps you sleep great, and relieves aches and pains!

Your Patio Furniture

Perhaps your “good set” of patio furniture is on your deck. This is what you use outside to lounge by the pool, eat dinner, or curl up in a comfy chair with a book. Likewise, your “bad set” is in the corner of the backyard or by the side of the house in your backyard.

This is the set it’s time to deal with. If you have old, outdated, rusty patio furniture, you can do one of several things with it:

• Refurbish it.
• Repair it.
• Donate it.
• Toss it.

If your set is vintage, and you don’t want to keep it, see if a local antique store would be interested. You can also list things online to sell. If, it’s ready for the dumpster, than that is where it belongs. Don’t let old furniture hang out in your backyard!

Old Paint or Pool Chemicals

Do you have any of this laying around in your backyard or in a storage shed? Have you asked yourself why you’re keeping it? Look inside the paint and see if it’s even usable. If not, it’s time to toss it. The same goes with old pool or hot tub chemicals, deck stains, primers, sealers, and waterproofers, as well as lawn chemicals.

Please don’t simply throw these items in your trash. For items like paint especially, check with your city and see where you can recycle it. You may also find appropriate places to take your other chemicals so you don’t hurt the environment and waterways.

Old Flower Pots

You loved that collection of flower pots in 1982, but today they are chipped and faded.

If they’re taking up space in your backyard, and you’re tripping over them, it’s time to do something else with them. Donate them or throw them away if they are cracked and broken.

The same holds true for broken or disheveled statues and other garden ornaments.

Your Lawn

How is your grass faring these days? If it looked less than stellar this summer and fall, it’s time to make some plans for the spring.

You can either reseed, rip it out and plant new seed, plant sod, or replace it with a lawn alternative (think gardens or low growing ground cover).

The most important thing to do with your lawn is make it look better while freeing up some of your time.

Finally, consider planting something in your front and backyard that is drought tolerant or that works in in your area.

Additional Yard Clutter

You don’t want to forget the miscellaneous yard clutter. This includes your old scrap wood pile. This is a host for bugs and rodents while also being unsightly.

So, while being safe, take care to remove that old wood clutter. You can also consider recycling it.

In addition, if you have old garden tools, garden hoses, and equipment laying around your yard, it’s time to either move them to a storage area or toss them. If they work, and you’ll use them either keep them or donate them.

Are your kids long gone? Are your grandkids grown? It’s time to get rid of your old play set, swing set, or play toys. This includes old, broken pool toys, too.

If it’s in good shape, donate it or sell it. If it’s broken, get rid of it.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve got backyard clutter, it’s time to take care of it. This way you’ll enjoy spring so much better.

The mess in your backyard won’t hang over your head because you took care of it today!