I need to fix up my backyard with only 3 weeks time..any suggestions?

Question

We just moved into a home and are having a housewarming bbq in 3 weeks. How could I spruce up the backyard in that amount of time inexpensivly? Maybe some flowers...its pretty spacious, but it needs ALOT of work.

Answer 1

Hmm...since you don't have that much time and probably not that much money, just to make it look cute for the BBQ just get some out door string lights, some tiki torches add some plants here and there something that pops something with a lot of color bright colors, try a flower garden. Even better put a small pond in your back yard you can get those all in one things in just about any store for under 100 bucks. you can dig a whole and fix it up or build up some dirt set it and put bricks or pebbles around it. Add some goldfish and you're good to go. it shouldnt be too hard, just use your imagination you can do just about anything on a budget...GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 2

Depending on you budget and how small the first thing I would suggest is general clean up maintenance, for starters trim the shrubs and tree limbs. That part is free. It's the sweat equity that pays off. You can make your own hanging baskets much cheaper than buying already made. The Dollar store has baskets, Walmart has the fiber, potting soil and the flowers. Put some tiki torches up with citronellaa oil for insects or citronell candles. So far we have about $40 spent. Then buy a half barrel or large tub and a small pump for a water feature put some colored glass in it and a couple of floating flowers. Make your own water lillies with craft foam about .29 sheet, The best source for landscaping projects is your "Imagination". You can do all of this for $100 or less if you bargain shop. Get your Christmas lights out and string them up especially if you have white ones.
Most of all have fun make your guests feel at home and they won't notice anything but the good company and the food.

Answer 3

Time and money are precious - don't spend it just to "impress" for one party.

Make a list of everything you 'eventually' want to do to the front & backyard. Even the expensive things are worth noting. Divide the list into Do It Yourself versus Contractor (fencing, painting, decking, etc..)

Landscaping done right is so worth the effort. But what you do and how makes a big difference. If this will be an outdoor affair (weather permitting), you'll need tables & chairs. Theme decorations look great, but can get pricey. Probably an area where kids could play (clean out ant piles, trash, thorns, etc.)

With your list in hand, what can be done quickly to enhance the party (repair fencing, remove ugly plants, trim hedges, weed gardens, fill holes with dirt).

At the party, 'enlist' your friends for their suggestions. Provide each with a pad & pencil and have them jot down all their ideas. Might be fun to compare suggestions and see who "volunteers" to help later :)

Housewarming parties don't have to be something out of House & Garden magazine. Just having enough seats for everyone inside & outside is wonderful.

Have fun with it, congrats on the new home

Answer 4

Well, you can get out your Christmas lights and string them up for a nice fairy light effect. Depending on your budget, you can get some patio squares and make a temporary patio (try Lowes or Home Depot) and finally, nothing says nice like lots of potted plants! You can even bring you indoor plants outside to add to them. Also, don't forget candles. Make cheap candle holders with either cheap terra cotta pots (try Michael's craft stores) filled with sand, or wine bottles (ala old Italian restaurant style). If you are up to it spring for a bench or some wicker (Target or WalMart is cheap), if not and the weather is good, you can bring the inside stuff outdoors for the night. It takes up space, serves a purpose and people think it's cool. If you have a clothes line or can rig up a line in a corner space, hang some cheap curtains or sheers, even some nice shower curtains, and tuck a few chairs and a small table in the corner; it will look cool and expensive.
Have fun and remember, your guests are really there to see you and have fun, not pick at your yard!

Answer 5

Fix My Backyard

Answer 6

Okay. Invite over your most honest/catty friend and ask this person what they notice first, second, third, etc. Then tackle the problems in the order that they name them. They will probably bring a new perspective to the problem and help you prioritize!

Also, if you have family in the area, ask them to come over this weekend to spend the day getting the yard in shape. That will be a fun way to spend time together and get ready!

If it was my place, I would get some lawn furniture, tiki torchs, one of those outdoor fire pit things, and some plants. You can probably get some good deals this time of year!

Failing all else, keep in mind that the people coming to your party love you and they are excited for you... they won't have any issues if your yard/house/bbq aren't top notch :-)

Good luck and HAVE FUN at your BBQ!

Answer 7

No prob! We are in the process of doing this right now. Landscaping is the easiest thing to do...and it can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be. For a simple landscaping project, you can have it done in a long weekend with two people!

1st) you need to clean up your yard. Pull out weeds, mow, pull out dead bushes, flowers. Trim trees. Takes about a half day to a day.

2nd) Also on this day, call to have your property spray painted for utilities. In NY the number is 811. Or look it up online under "call before you dig" for your state. It is free but requires 2 full working days to be marked. That way you won't hit any utilities when digging.

3rd) Take a hose and fill it with water...cap off both ends (maybe with two nozzle heads). Now snake that around the back of your house where you want landscaping outlines. Maybe do an island or something? Trace the hose with spray paint or lime to mark it.

4th) dig about 6 inches down to create a trench on the outline. Now fill inside that line with topsoil (usually about $25 yard). Make it like a pitchers mound. Cover that with landscaping tarp. Go pick out some inexpensive plants/trees and place them where you want them on the tarp. Cut X's in the tarp and dig down...place plant/tree and fill with good soil.

5th) mulch! or you can do rocks.

6th) you can string up some lights or do candles or a fire pit...any of that will be nice!!!

Have fun!!!

Answer 8

Mow the lawn, put some decorated lights strategically around the place. Make sure that all the grasses and plants are clean and dirt and mud are not prevalent anywhere. If you have a pond, put some lilypads in or some water plants in there. Do the easy things, such as raking leaves, etc. If you get time, lay some framework around the flowers and make them occupy space. You don't want the fertilizer to cover up all over a plot.

In the actual BBQ, have some balloons around, and a banner because that attracts attention. Get some music if necessary.

Good luck

Answer 9

Hey, Get the yard real clean of course. I am on a budget myself and moved recently. I am using rocks to outline flowerbeds and some walkways I made. Prepare your soil by digging are tilling. Its important to get the dirt ready before you plant in it are your plants aren't gonna do good at all. If you use a mulch in your flowerbeds before you plant it sure makes things look clean and neat, and more landscaped. Then plant some pretty flowers. I don't know if you have full sun are shade are your planting zone #. I could recommend some easy growing plants if I did. Hope this helps a bit.

Answer 10

Need more info. Do you have grass and planting beds already? Patio, deck, pool? Shrubs, trees?

I'd do a clean up of any obviously messy areas, mow, trim,
pull weeds. Power wash--can rent power washer--any
dirty patio block of house walls, etc. Make sure light fixtures are clean. Buy some flowers, plant in any existing flower beds. Buy some small shrubs or hanging pots of flowers
and stick them in pots--remove hangers--in strategic places to look nice. You can put tiki torches around or party lights
in trees or across back of house. Set up some tables and chairs, get some big colorful sheets to drape the tables, and put citronella candles on them.