Summer is the perfect time to enjoy your outdoor space—and nothing brings people together quite like a little friendly competition. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just looking for ways to unwind with family, yard games add life and laughter to your landscape.
Kubb – Often called “Viking chess,” this Swedish game blends strategy and tossing skill. Players take turns knocking over wooden blocks before going after the king in the center—perfect for competitive spirits.
Bocce Ball – A classic with Italian roots, bocce is easy to learn and fun for all ages. Smooth, level lawns or gravel paths make the ideal playing surface for this relaxing but satisfying game.
Croquet – Timeless and elegant, croquet adds a touch of vintage charm to your yard. It’s ideal for longer lawns, with players knocking balls through a series of wickets in a set order.
Giant Connect Four – Think of this as the life-sized version of the childhood favorite. It’s colorful, engaging, and a huge hit at parties or playdates.
Ring Toss – Simple, portable, and easy to set up, ring toss is great for all ages. You can even DIY your own version for a personalized touch.
Cornhole – A backyard staple, cornhole (or bean bag toss) offers hours of fun with just two boards and a few bags. Customize boards with family names, favorite teams, or seasonal designs for added flair.
Spikeball, Ladder Toss & More – For those who like a little more bounce or strategy, games like Spikeball or ladder toss keep things fresh and fast-paced.
No matter which game you choose, these outdoor games encourage connection, movement, and appreciation of your yard.
Set up a dedicated games area or rotate favorites to keep the fun going all season long!
Getting Your Lawn Ready for Summer: Key Steps for a Healthy Yard
As summer approaches, preparing your lawn properly can make all the difference in maintaining lush, resilient turf. Here are a few essential steps to get your lawn in top shape for the season:
Start with a Soil Test Understanding your soil’s pH and nutrient levels is the first step. A soil test will help determine if you need to apply lime to balance acidity and what type of fertilizer is most appropriate.
Fertilize for Strength and Resilience Apply fertilizer according to your soil test results to promote thick, healthy turf that resists weed invations and recovers more quickly from stress. Too much or too little fertilizer can lead to unhealthy turf.
Repair Bald Spots Address any bare patches early. Loosen the soil, apply grass seed evenly, and cover it with a thin layer of soil, pelletized lawn mulch, or straw to protect the seed, retain moisture and promote germination.
Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blade A sharp blade makes clean cuts, which reduces stress on the grass and helps prevent disease. Dull blades tear the grass, leading to brown tips and an overall unhealthy appearance.
Mow Properly Follow the one-third rule: never remove more than a third of the grass height at once. Mowing about once a week keeps the lawn looking tidy and prevents stress to the grass. While grass clippings can be beneficial if finely chopped, remove any that clump together on the surface. These can smother the grass beneath and create brown spots.
With a bit of planning and care, your lawn will be well-prepared to thrive through the heat of summer and beyond.
Spring Cleanup & Mulching: Prepare Your Landscape for a Healthy Growing Season
As the winter fades and the first signs of spring emerge, it’s the perfect time to give your landscape the attention it needs to thrive. A thorough spring cleanup not only boosts your property’s curb appeal but also sets the foundation for healthy plants and vibrant growth throughout the season. Here’s what to focus on this spring:
Clear Away Winter Debris Start by removing any remaining leaves, sticks, and debris from your lawn and garden beds. These can harbor pests and diseases and prevent new growth from emerging properly.
Prune Trees and Shrubs Inspect trees and shrubs for any dead, damaged, or diseased branches and carefully prune them away. Some shrubs benefit from a spring trim to encourage fuller, more attractive growth. Just remember to hold off on pruning spring-blooming varieties until after they finish flowering—this ensures you don’t accidentally remove the buds. Always use clean, sharp pruning tools to make clean cuts that heal more quickly and reduce the risk of infection.
Tidy Up Overgrown Areas Remove any lingering vines or brush that may have gone unnoticed last season. Clearing these out now will help prevent them from competing with your plants and shrubs as they start to grow.
Edge and Mulch Garden Beds Clean bed edges give your landscape a polished look and help define planting areas. Apply mulch to a total depth of about 3 inches, including any existing mulch, to suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and modulate soil temperatures.
Clean Hardscape Surfaces Power wash concrete walkways and patios to remove built-up dirt and grime. For paver patios, a simple solution of warm water and about a tablespoon of dish soap works wonders. Use a sturdy push broom dipped in the soapy water to scrub the surface thoroughly. If the polymeric sand between your pavers has worn away, we’re happy to help—just contact us for a quote to refresh the joints and keep your patio looking great.
A well-executed spring cleanup sets the tone for a vibrant, healthy landscape. If you’d like professional help with any of these tasks, our team is ready to assist. Let us help you get your outdoor space in peak condition for the season ahead.
A patio can be a cozy nook for enjoying good company, the perfect spot to take in a beautiful view, or a spacious area to watch the game with friends.
To plan your ideal patio, start by thinking about how you’ll use the space and how many people it will typically need to accommodate. Be sure to leave enough room to move comfortably around furniture and between areas if you want to support a variety of activities.
When deciding where to place your patio, consider ease of access from both the house and yard, and how the location fits into your landscape—whether to capture a view or gain privacy from neighbors.
Materials make a big difference. Even a simple patio can look sophisticated with the right choices. Pavers come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and finishes, offering plenty of room for creativity. Classic natural stone is available in both uniform cuts and organic flagstone shapes.
If budget is a concern, concrete is a practical, low-maintenance option that can still look great. It can also be enhanced with dyes and stamped patterns to elevate its appearance.
Finally, don’t forget the finishing touches. Plantings can soften hard edges, add privacy and shade, and help create a welcoming setting for your outdoor space. Even a single well-chosen tree can frame the space and offer a sense of shelter as it matures.
Choose furniture that reflects your personal style while providing comfort and storage, so you can enjoy your new space exactly as you imagined.
Mulching is an essential practice for maintaining healthy and vibrant plant beds. It offers numerous benefits, including regulating soil temperatures, improving moisture retention, and suppressing weeds. Additionally, mulch enhances soil quality by breaking down over time and enriching it with organic matter and prevents topsoil from being eroded by water and wind.
At Back to Nature, mulching jobs are typically completed from late February through May, but the process can be done at any time of the year depending on specific landscaping needs. Proper mulching techniques can maximize its benefits and contribute to the overall health of your garden.
Tips for Effective Mulching:
Prepare the Area: Start by weeding and removing any debris to ensure a clean surface for the mulch to be effective.
Edge the Bed: Cut a clean edge along your planting beds using a spade or half-moon edging tool to create a defined boundary, prevent mulch from spilling into unwanted areas, and keep grass from creeping in.
Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicide: Consider using a pre-emergent herbicide before mulching to help control weed seed germination for 2-3 months.
Choose the Right Mulch: Double-shredded hardwood mulch is a great option for most beds. Apply approximately 1.5 inches for previously mulched beds or 2-3 inches for new planting beds. Thin the mulch down to 1-2 inches around perennials. Arborist wood chips, straw, and leaves can be alternative mulches, but may not provide the aesthetic value of shredded hardwood.
Avoid Over-Mulching: Too much mulch can suffocate plant roots and lead to excessive moisture retention, which may cause root rot and fungal growth. Stick to the recommended depth for best results.
Keep Mulch Away from Tree Trunks and Shrubs: Pull mulch back a few inches from tree trunks and shrub bases to prevent rot, disease, and pest infestations.
Spread and Smooth Evenly: Use a pitchfork or your hands to distribute mulch evenly, ensuring a uniform layer. Avoid piling mulch into mounds or ‘volcano mulching’ around plants.
Tamp Down Edges: Use a landscape rake to firm up the edges of the mulched areas, giving them a neat and polished look while helping to keep the mulch in place.
Refresh Mulch Annually: Over time, mulch decomposes and needs replenishing. Topping off your mulch each year helps maintain its effectiveness and keeps beds looking fresh.
By following these mulching best practices, you can create a thriving garden that not only looks great but also supports healthy plant growth throughout the seasons.
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lient turf. Here are a few essential steps to get your lawn in top shape for the season:
nt growth throughout the season. Here’s what to focus on this spring:
