Seasonal Maintenance for a Fresh Outdoor Space

Just like the interior of your home needs maintenance, so does the exterior of your home. You want your backyard to stand out - in a good way. You also want your investment in your backyard to last for years. That’s why seasonal maintenance is crucial for a fresh outdoor space and your highest home value.

With decades of experience in backyard design, Outdoor Innovations knows just what your space needs to stay fresh. Keep reading to learn how to maintain and maximize your home in every season, so it retains the highest value (for you and future buyers).

Spring: Cleaning, Gardening, & Building

Spring is the ultimate sign of new beginnings and growth, and it’s also the best time to reset your outdoor space with cleaning, gardening, and adding new builds. After a long, cold Minnesota winter, the summer weather can be days away. Everyone who lives here knows the snow seems to melt overnight, we get one last blizzard, and suddenly it’s spring. It doesn’t leave much time to complete your checklist before the warm weather arrives.

Just like every other corner of your house, your outdoor space is no exception to the spring cleaning rule. To get your yard looking spic and span in no time, these spring tips should be first on your checklist as soon as the snow starts melting.

Spring Cleaning

• Clear debris from your lawn, garden beds, and grass,and  gutters
• Open your pool for the summer
• Scrubbing decks and patios
• Painting and restaining structures
• Sealing and repairing or repaving your driveway
• Power washing furniture, siding
• Cleaning windows inside and out as well as the screens so you can enjoy the view of your yard! 

Planting & Gardening

• Fertilize your garden(s) and planters, lay down mulch, and prune perennials
• Install and set up irrigation systems for your lawn and plants
• Set up or build a trellis or pergola to give your plants a home
• Plant an herb garden, flowers, vegetables, trees, etc.

Fresh Outdoor Builds

• Refresh your space with a new pool build and pool house
• Create an outdoor living space with a deck or patio
• Build your dream outdoor kitchen for summer grilling
• Plan out an outdoor dining room build
• Add a patio or cabana for your ultimate relaxation space
• Installing fences, sheds, and decks

Summer: Ongoing Care & Pest Control

After a season of prepping and setting up your outdoor space, you get to enjoy it. However, you still want to ensure your plants are taken care of and pests are kept at bay. With the proper summer care, your plants won’t wither away and the bugs won’t be at your side. Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy your hot summer days and cooler nights by the fire. 

Plant Care

• Commit to weekly lawn mowing and water your grass for the ultimate lush softness
• Trim shrubbery and plants to keep them looking beautiful and maintained
• Water plants and supplement with compost and soil as needed 
  • Psst: opt for hidden sprinklers when designing your backyard, and ongoing plant care is a breeze or soaker hoses irrigation for plant beds and gardens

General Upkeep

• Powerwash your patios, decks, furniture, and walkways as needed to keep them fresh
• Maintain stone and concrete driveways and walkways, and redo them as needed
• Add chemicals to your pool water and clean your pool weekly

Pest Control

• Plan gazebos or outdoor spaces with screens
• Install fire features, citronella additions, and torches
• Install mosquito repellent systems
• Find a local pest control company to spray your yard

Fall: Prep & Storage Solutions

Fall is the last chance to soak up your final summer days, have bonfires on cool nights, and host some major events before the snow sets in. After that, prepping and hibernating your warm-weather outdoor stuff should be first on your agenda. Not to mention installing spas, fire features, and other ways to enjoy the cold season before the ground starts freezing. Below, we have the best tips to set up for next summer and keep your outdoor space maintained during the winter months.

Preparing for Winter

• Winterize your pool so pipes don’t burst, and it’s ready to go for summer
• Rake and clear away leaves from the yard and drains
• Last chance to install spas or fire features for the fall and winter
• Clean and dry umbrellas, cushions, and decorations before storing
• Blow out irrigation lines to prevent freezing and breaking. Do this before the first freeze unless the system is running - these freeze easily and can be costly to repair.

Storage Solutions

• Store extra pool equipment, chemicals, and toys in your pool house or shed
• Place grills and extra equipment under the deck or in a shed for the winter
• Create a built-in stone bench, complete with storage space for the summer and winter
• Install racks, hooks, and shelving in your garage, deck, patio, etc.
• Remove any outdoor entertainment systems such as TV’s, projectors, microphones, speakers that are not outdoor-rated

Winter: Upkeep & Warm-Weather Planning

The best time to start thinking about what to build and maintain in the spring is during the coldest days of winter. There’s no better time to fantasize about hot summer days, swimming pools, and backyard fires than when you’re snuggled up in your blanket with a hot chocolate. If you start your design plans early, you have nothing to worry about when it’s time to build in the spring. 

Outdoor Upkeep

• Pruning trees and plants to remove dead or damaged parts and promote growth. It’s best to do this kind of tree trimming or pruning from late November to February
• Clearing snow and ice to prevent your concrete from cracking 
• Check outdoor lighting, replace bulbs, and fix any exposed wires

Warm-Weather Planning

• Start planning builds and renovations for spring to get ahead of everyone else
• Reach out to landscaping and hardscaping professionals for quotes and timing
• Design your upcoming projects with a professional

Related Content: Winter Is Coming......

Seasonal Build & Design for Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor Innovations Landscaping makes seasonal maintenance and seasonal builds easy, regardless of your project. We complete custom builds for patios, outdoor kitchens and dining rooms, all-season lounges, and more. Whatever idea you have in mind for any season to increase your curb appeal, home value, and more, we can help make it happen.

Need design ideas to keep up with seasonal maintenance and keep your outdoor space fresh?

Outdoor Innovations Landscaping creates elevated backyards for homeowners in Minnesota. From in-ground pools to luxurious grilling stations to outdoor living rooms, we do it all. Explore our past projects and get a quote online to make your dream backyard a reality.