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Be creative -

No matter if your backyard is a concrete terrace or a big green field, every space can become something great with determination and planning.

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Plan - Make a list of the things you would like to do. You should set a budget if you would like to add to your backyard rather than just clean it up.

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Draw - On a large sheet of paper, draw out your garden and make a little design of your plans. Perhaps you want a barbecue area and a table with chairs. By designing it, you will have a clear vision when doing the hard work.

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Get out there - Go out there and clear away all the debris. Over winter, leaves and dampness will have made the ground dirty. Either get a broom or a hose to clean it. If your lawn is grass, use a rake.

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Get on your knees - It goes without saying that you must do some dirty work. Whack on some gloves, clear away all the weeds, and pick up the stones in your backyard.

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Keep the debris! - Get an old bin, or a large pot, with a lid. Put in all the debris you collect and add some worms. You can also put in all the leftovers from your vegetables and fruits from the kitchen. This way you create your own compost bin that will help your plants to flourish throughout spring.

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Shrubbery - If you have shrubs, check if there are any bare patches where reseeding is necessary. If there are, buy some seeds or seedlings and fill up the area. By making bushes consistent, your garden will seem neater.

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Tools - The heat will come, so to make sure your garden stays in shape, check that you have the right tools, such as a watering can or hose, and that the irrigation system is working if you have one. This will help prevent your plants from drying up in summer.

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Soil -

Take a look at your soil. Whether it is in a pot, or in the ground, you want your soil to be just right for planting. If it is sandy, add some compost. If it is more like clay, add some horticultural grit.

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Flowers - Add some flowers if you don’t already have them. Spring is the time for blossoms, so get yourself down to a garden center and buy some pre-grown flowers. If you do not have a lawn, then buy some nice-looking pots.

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Flower bed - If you do have some green space, make a flower bed by turning over the soil with a shovel. You can also plant seeds from scratch, but make sure your backyard has at least five hours of sunlight to keep the seedlings happy.

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Mulching time - Mulch is a mixture of decaying things that does wonders for growing plants. You can buy some at the garden store. Not only does it suffocate the weeds that will spring to life with the warming season, but it also fertilizes the soil.

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Aerate - If you have a grass lawn, spring is the perfect time to aerate your lawn. At the gardens store, you can buy it. Spray on the product and it will allow the roots of your grass and plants to take better hold and thus grow healthier. Or, poke holes into your lawn with a pitchfork.

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Prune - Go around your backyard with some scissors or pruners if you have them, and cut off all the dead leaves and flowers. When you do so, it does not harm the plant and actually encourages new growth.

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Cut the grass - Once the ground is free from debris, if you have a lawn, it’s time to cut the grass. Make sure that your blade is sharpened on your lawnmower. If it is not, then the cuts will not be clean, leaving your lawn open to diseases and weed infestations. Keep the grass and put it in your compost bin.

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Decoration - Once you have the basic clean done, it is time for the decoration. Perhaps you would like some decking outside your backdoor. You can buy very affordable DIY patios from home and garden shops that can make a real difference to your space.

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Outdoor rug - A good way to spruce things up is to get an outdoor rug, especially if you have a concrete backyard. They are durable and can add a splash of style to your abode.

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Stone path - An elegant way to design your backyard is to have a terrace, then a line of flowers, and then a seating area at the end of the yard. To give the space a fairytale air, you can set down a stone path through the flowers.

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Colors - Although flowers provide a lot of color, do not just rely on them. Buy some statement pots, or paint your fence. If you use hues that correspond to your flowers, you’ll have a nicely coordinated yard.

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Tree bench - If you happen to have a tree in your backyard, a cool way to use it is to make a tree bench. They are easy to construct: all you need are some wooden boards, a hammer, and nails.

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Pergola - A top tip to make your backyard a place you want to be is to add a pergola. It's like adding an extra room to your house. Under it, you are shaded from the sun and can set up a seating area for sociable meals, or to get some peace and quiet away from the household mayhem.

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Mood lighting - An undeniable way to make a backyard vibey is to add some soft, warm lighting. Buy some outdoor fairy lights and drape them above you. Or, get some ground lights that spill out and illuminate your flowers.

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Garden fence - If you have a fence, you can do some cool things with it. A brilliant idea is to cut out little holes in it and fill them with different colored glass. Multi-colored light will shine onto your backyard floor and give it a real flare.

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Vertical garden - If you want to use your ground space for outdoor furniture, but still have greenery, a vertical garden could be for you. To do it, get some wooden panels and hammer the back of plastic plant pots into it. It is simple to do and looks professional. Or, you could make some shelves and put your pots on them.

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Dining table - A key component of a wicked backyard is a dining table. You can get creative with it–it doesn't have to be fancy. As it is outdoors, you could use old wooden benches for seating, or barrels with wooden planks on them for a table.

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Chilling area -

Whether it is under a pergola, or out in the open, comfy seating is essential. Again, it does not have to be real furniture. You could just scatter wooden pallets with large cushions and suddenly you have a lovely seating area.

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Fire pit - Often it is still chilly in the evenings, even if it is spring or summer. The perfect solution is a fire pit. They are easy to build. You just need some bricks and cement. Then, it’s s'mores time!

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Hammock - Nothing says "relaxing in my backyard" like a hammock. Some do not require two trees, and you can even buy ones that have their own frame so they can stand alone. If you have space, it is an investment that all the family will enjoy.

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Outdoor cinema -

If you want the ultimate backyard, set up an outdoor cinema. It's easy! Buy a projector, which is not that expensive nowadays, and hang up a sheet. When the sun sets, bring out the cushions and blankets, and enjoy the experience.

Sources: (The Oregonian)(Extra Space Storage)

See also: Tips to turn your garden into a wildlife sanctuary

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