The heat of the summer is upon us, and the last thing you want to do is miss a minute of it – before you know it, your backyard will be covered by a thick blanket of snow. But let’s not get caught up in that… Instead, make the most of the season by giving your backyard some DIY love to get it in tiptop shape for the rest of the summer.

Here are a few tips to help you realize your dream backyard:

Decorate and add personalized touches. Bring the indoors outside with colourful pillows, candles and even a rug. An upcycled antique door or window looks great propped up or mounted on a fence – don’t be afraid to get creative!

Create gardens with (sustainable) polish. Make your beautiful gardens the focal point of the backyard with beautifully designed and earth-friendly products made using recycled Ontario tires. Recycled product manufacturers Multy Home and New Rubber Technologies produce robust and environmentally friendly products for the home, including garden edging, flooring and stepping stones, made right here in Ontario. You can now find them at your local home improvement store to make your backyard makeover a quick (and sustainable!) DIY weekend project.

Give your plants a boost. Don’t forget – plants need food to grow too! There are many different types of fertilizer available at your local gardening store. From organic to liquid to granular, the right one can really help your garden blossom. Be sure to ask a gardening expert what’s best for your flora and fauna. Alternatively, if you have a composter, your old banana peels make great plant food.  And keep those pesky weeds at bay by laying a bed of recycled rubber mulch, also made from recycled tires!

Whether you’re out to create a lush garden oasis or just need a relaxing patio area, you can find more creative backyard solutions with our Fresh Home Ideas e-guide.

Have a great summer!