5 Summer Jobs To Get Done Around The Home And Garden

Without a doubt, summer is the perfect season to get your hands dirty and your property clean. The weather, if sometimes too warm, is actually manageable, and we get more daylight than ever. No surprising spring rains, or showers of autumn leaves that get in the way of every step.

And of course, winter is out of the question for gardening – there is barely any vegetation present, and good luck fixing that soiled patio with all the slipper snow around.

So whether you’re planning a minor landscaping task or a huge home renovation project, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better time for it than summer.

But just what can you do for your home and garden during summer? Read on and find out the 5 summer jobs to get done around the home and your garden.

Perform Maintenance On Your Air-Conditioning Unit

If you don’t pick your air conditioner as your favorite summer appliance, you’re simply not being fair. After all, the truth is that without a functional AC we’d all be sweating more than we can mop up. And every time it’s not scorching hot outside it keeps your home to a comfy temperature helping you relax and get proper rest.

Without a doubt, air conditioning units are a lifesaver.

So it makes perfect sense that you’d want to check up on it right before summer heat hits. Yet most people neglect their AC units and only notice something isn’t right when their unit stops working. By that time, it’s usually too late, and it may require costly repairs – or a complete replacement.

But, all of that can be avoided with just a little bit of attention. A little maintenance goes a long way, and that’s especially true of fragile systems like air conditioners.

So here’s what you can do for your AC.

First, take out the filter of your AC and clean it. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can always call an HVAC professional to do it for you. But in most cases, cleaning an air conditioning unit’s filter is as easy as just taking it out, washing it with dish soap, rinsing it, and drying it out. Then you just slot it back in and that’s it!

However be aware that some air conditioning brands use disposable filters that cannot be washed. You are not able to wash and reuse those, instead, you’ll need to replace them with new ones. If you’re in doubt as to what kinds of filters your AC uses, check the instruction manual or consult with an HVAC specialist.

Next, you should also check if your AC’s condensation hose is in good order. It’s those hoses that hang from its external unit. If they’re clogged up, you can take them out and clean them. Likewise, condensation hoses may suffer from mold or algae overgrowth. This can diminish the functionality of your air conditioner, and besides, it’s the breeding ground for potential allergies. You can spot mold or algae overgrowth if your condensation hose has dark spots, or has entire sections along its length darkened or clogged.

Finally, the goal of this maintenance is to avoid costly repairs for your air conditioner or undue replacements. Sadly, sometimes the cost of repairing your AC can be just impractical, so you’d end up buying a new one.

That’s why we say, a little maintenance goes a long way!

Clean And Repair Your Gutters And Windows

If the eyes are the windows of the soul, then windows are the… windows of the homeowner. Ahem.

The truth is that windows are an essential element of the home, and their condition speaks volumes about the homeowner. Windows keep your home safe, secure, but also good looking. And they are also very energy efficient – they can isolate your home from temperature fluctuations, permit enough sunlight so you save on electricity, and allow enough warmth when needed (which again saves you some good money). For windows to be able to perform all these super important, albeit underappreciated functions, they need to be kept clean.

Over time, windows go through a lot of abuse. They collect dirt, dust, suffer oxidation, discoloration, abrasions and all sorts of other damage. And while wear and tear is a normal consequence of the passage of time, cleaning your windows regularly will greatly extend their lifespan. Regularly cleaned windows will gleam from afar, making your home look much more beautiful, and will reduce your energy bills too.

But what about gutters? Another tragically overlooked system that takes good care of your home. Gutters exist for the sole purpose of protecting your home from floods every time it rains outside. Just imagine what it would be like without gutters?! You’ll probably end up bankrupt from all the repairs within a year or two.

Sadly, your gutters get clogged a little bit with every passing day. Pieces of wood, leaves, dust, various kinds of dirt, or even bird nests (and bird poop!) can all add to the fatal congestion of your gutters. But you won’t notice that until your house gets suddenly flooded after a bout of rain – and then it’s too late. You’ll be stuck with costly cleaning, repairs, AND cleaning or even replacing your entire gutter system.

That’s why it’s key to clean your gutters at least once in a while. However, that can be complicated and dangerous business, especially if the need to climb the roof arises. In that case, you’d be much better off hiring a professional gutter cleaning service. Most power washing services also specialize in quick and efficient gutter cleaning, so don’t hesitate to save yourself some trouble and schedule an appointment.

Consider Installing Artificial Grass

What? Artificial grass?! No one likes that!

Buuut, if no one likes artificial grass, why are so many people actually installing it?

Well, because artificial grass comes with benefits as well.

For one, it’s artificial. Meaning you don’t have to mow it, water it, trim it, clean it, and so on and on. Being artificial, it can also look pristine and beautiful at all times, and nowadays, some artificial grass is so good that it’s becoming hard to tell whether it’s natural or not.

We agree, this doesn’t mean natural grass or a well-kept lawn is a bad thing. Far from it. But the truth is that it also takes quite a lot of hard work to keep it in good order. Kudos to all the gardening enthusiasts out there, but most people have neither the time, the skill, nor the money to really put in the necessary work to have a good looking natural lawn.

So, give artificial grass a chance. You can always install a small patch first and see how you like it later. Maybe you won’t like it at all. And maybe you’ll fall in love with looking at a perfect looking lawn even in the middle of winter.

Attract Wildlife To Your Garden And Help The Environment

But you can also go in the opposite direction. Having a well-maintained natural garden with actual wildlife in it!

One of life’s greatest joys is seeing a squirrel scurrying up and around a tree. So why not have that in your own home? If you think it’s impossible, think twice.

Of course, in the case of attracting squirrels, you’d need some large trees in your backyard, and a nearby area where squirrels are a native part of the wildlife.

But you can also attract beautiful butterflies. Or beautiful, melodious birds. Or really, any other kind of insect, bird, creature or critter!

You can attract them all and there’s one simple way to do it – make use of native plants in your garden. Native plants are those plants that are commonly found in your local area, so planting some of those, or just letting them grow around your garden spontaneously will definitely attract some of the local wildlife.

And besides, attracting the local wildlife comes with a hidden bonus – no pests or diseases. And no pests and diseases means less use of pesticides and insecticides. Why spray insecticide when the sparrows can just take care of all the unnecessary bugs?

This way, you’ll both have a beautiful, vibrant garden, and do the environment a favor.

Remodel Your Kitchen, Or Cook Outside

Obviously, summer is also the perfect season to cook and eat outside. Summer is also the perfect season for social gatherings with your family and friends and enjoying some barbecue. See a pattern here?

Summer also presents the perfect opportunity to introduce a kitchen upgrade or two, or maybe even think about building your own kitchen area out in the open.

Besides increasing the overall value of your home, remodeling your kitchen area or adding a kitchen to your backyard will also add quite a lot of functionality – and comfort – to your home.

We know, we know – kitchen upgrades can be really expensive. But even if you’re on a shoestring budget, small changes can go a long way.

For example, instead of replacing your kitchen drawers, you can consider giving them a fresh coat of paint. Or, instead of building an entire kitchen in your backyard from scratch, you could add a lot of practicality and charm with just nailing some planks together and making a cozy cocktail bar. At the very least, you could declutter your current kitchen area and say goodbye to unused appliances or superfluous pots and pans.

If you can imagine it, you can do it. And you don’t have to do it all in one go – try introducing small changes one step at a time. And one day you’ll wake up in your dream house.

Remember, a little love goes a long way!

Your Home Is Your Artwork

Easier said than done, right? Right. But remember, regardless of your resources, summer is the ideal time to pull off a complete overhaul, or just introduce a change or two.

For starters, during summertime friends or family members tend to have lighter schedules. This means they can assist you with DIY projects in their spare time. Or, if they’re away on vacation, that’s great too – less disturbances while you do your home improvement thing.

Finally, where to start? Beginnings are often the most difficult part of any journey. We get it, because we’ve been there. But it’s easier than you think. Here’s some practical advice: if you aren’t sure where to start, just walk around the house and inspect each area. Sooner or later, you’ll find something that needs fixing or replacing. Or, just good old rethinking.

When it comes to home improvements the sky is the limit. Think of it as creative expression, and your home as a work of art. If your home was a painting, what would you paint? Ask yourself that, and sooner or later, a flash of inspiration will grace your mind.

And then, you only need to apply a brush stroke and the rest will follow. One day you’ll step back and gaze in wonder at your work of art – your reimagined home.