5 Fall Backyard Projects

Photo by Dalial Dalprat from Pexels

You have been spending more time at home for months now, which probably means you have already replaced your patio rug, updated your cushions, and hung some festive string lights to enhance your outdoor living areas. You may have even painted your patio furniture or installed shade sails to make all the time you are spending in your backyard even more enjoyable.
 
If you are starting to run out of project ideas and plan on spending the fall months dining, working, and playing outdoors as much as possible, here are five more projects you might want to consider. Plus, if you plan on entertaining folks you are not isolating with, it is safer to do it outdoors, so let’s get those patios ready to go.
 
1. Declutter.
This is probably the first thing you did when you started upgrading your outdoor spaces earlier this year, but it’s probably time to do it again. If there are a few too many pool toys, art supplies, or yard tools cluttering your patio, now is a good time to find them a home. Since you might be doing more activities outdoor these days, consider purchasing or building a storage cabinet where you can stash boardgames, craft projects, or homeschooling supplies when not in use.
 
2. Update your patio ceiling fan.
The weather may be cooling off a bit, but if you are spending time outdoors during the day, I’m sure you are still using your ceiling fan. As fan styles change, an older fan can pretty quickly make your patio look dated. This makes this small project an easy way to update your outdoor living area, particularly if you plan on entertaining this fall. Handy homeowners will likely be able to replace an existing fan on their own by following the instructions provided by the manufacturer. If you are not comfortable working with electrical wires or are installing a ceiling fan for the first time, call a local professional to complete this project for you.
 
3. Paint your patio planters.
This easy project gets bonus points for being both a way to beautify your patio and a craft project you can do with your partner or kids. Grab some paint and paintbrushes, lay out some of the cardboard from all of those online orders you are doing these days, and enjoy an afternoon painting planters to add cheery pops of color to your patio.
 
4. Work on your vegetable garden.
Lots of folks who are spending more time at home have either started a vegetable garden or expanded their existing garden. If you planted tomatoes, carrots, and other typical garden fare early on, you are probably harvesting your bounty right about now, and it is time for the next round of planting. For your fall planting, consider radishes, kale, spinach, celery, chard, asparagus, onions, beets, and, of course, another round of carrots.
 
5. Make sure your fire features are ready for fall.
You will likely start using your fire pit or outdoor fireplace more this month, so now is good time to clean it and make sure it is working properly. Make sure you have plenty of fuel and that it is stored safely away from your fire feature. Check your fire screen, and replace it if necessary. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher or bucket of sand on hand to quickly put out the fire if things go awry. You might also want to invest in some skewers or roasting sticks so that you will have them on hand for roasting hotdogs or making s’mores.
 
Side note: Don’t forget to clean your rain gutters, change your HVAC filters, and adjust your automatic irrigation system once the weather starts cooling off a bit more.

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AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, green living and travel writing. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.