With the temperatures on the rise and the summer just over the horizon, the time has come to switch out the wardrobe and start getting into the great outdoors again. One of the most used spots in the summer is the backyard and as you start heading out, you may notice some changes you want to make. Whether it is to beautify your home or just stay busy, there are a number of easy project you can get started on today that will ensure a little bit of sun along with loads of fun. In case you aren’t quite sure where to start, here are a few easy ideas that should give you something to do.
Start An Herb Garden
To begin growing your herb garden today, start by locating a place in your yard that receives sunlight, but doesn’t get scorching hot. Once you’ve located a spot, begin breaking up the soil with a garden fork. Be sure to take your time with this as it is key in helping your plants grow. When that is done, begin planting your herbs. Be sure to water them only enough that the soil about two inches below the surface is still dry. It’s very important that you make sure you do not overwater your herbs. When the plants have grown to 7-8 inches, you can start cutting off segments of their branches(around 1/3 of the branches’ length) and continue to watch them flourish.
Tree Stump Board Games
Especially for neighborhoods recently built out by developers or for houses located near wooded areas, stumps and other thick segments of trees may be scattered around. These stumps can make for hours of fun when crafted into a game board. All you need is a dry stump and some outdoor acrylic paint. From there you can paint on a board for checkers, chess, or the old-fashioned tic-tac-toe. This is great for getting the kids outside and will keep you out of the house for some summer fun.
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bushes are beautiful plants that bloom in the summer and fall and attract not only butterflies but bees and some birds as well. Their purple hue is also great for giving your yard eye-popping color. To get started with this project, locate a place in your yard that receives full sunlight. The best time to plant these bushes is in the spring or fall. Once you’ve found a spot you like, break up the soil and apply compost. Also, dig a hole for the bush twice the size of the plant’s container. Put the butterfly bush in and be sure to water it immediately. You can water it from time to time after that but the rain should take care of that largely. Also be sure to refrain from overfertilizing the bush.
Make a Birdfeeder
There are a few ways to bring nature’s little vocalists to your home, but as with all living things, the best way to do that is to feed them. This can be an easy repurposing project as often times we have containers that have run their course and are ready to be altered or discarded. One easy idea is to use an old teapot as a feeder. You can attach it to a tree or find a nice place for it in your yard and watch as the birds flock. Depending on the size, your pot may allow for nesting, allowing you to watch as baby birds are born and eventually fly away.
Garden Rock Painting
To spruce up your yard or garden, consider pulling out a pallet and brush and doing some rock painting. This creative and colorful activity can give your yard some character and is also fun to do with your kids. All you need are two things, rocks and paint. You can find rocks in your yard or around your neighborhood. If you’re looking to find bigger or smoother ones, you can find them at landscaping or garden supply stores. It’s best to use rocks without a film for luster over top and acrylic paint is the type of coloring to use for this project. Once you have everything, go crazy. If you want to make fine marks you can use pens and thin tipped sharpies too, but this is a great opportunity to let your creativity flow.
Setting up a Hammock
The first step in getting any hammock set up properly is finding two trees about nine to fifteen feet apart. Be sure to give the entire area a quick look over to make sure there is no dangers to anyone in the hammock once it is set up, like large overhead tree branches. Attach the hammock straps to the tree at approximately your height(or just the height of your head). Make sure the hammock is in the middle of the trees and not closer to one or the other. When finalizing your hammock’s setup, you want to make sure that it has slack so that it is not pulled out straight. This will make it more comfortable to stay in and will also put less pressure on the straps and equipment keeping it in place.
Outdoor Bottle Opener
Whether hosting a Fourth of July cookout or just barbecuing with your family, one quick project you can look into is setting up an outdoor bottle opener somewhere in your backyard. Various openers can be found online or in hardware stores and they come in a number of makes, including a mountable piece that doesn’t require drilling. Just be sure to have a trash bin nearby for guests to discard their bottle tops. These openers are perfect for keeping the party lively and the drinks flowing. 
Glowing Mason Jars
For those nights when you’re entertaining, putting a creative spin on your lighting can help to make lasting memories and capture the mood of summer, while also saving some electricity. One fun way to do this is to put out glowing mason jars. To achieve this effect, you will need a mason jar(with a sealable top) and several glow sticks. From there you’ll want to take wet a rag and wipe the interior and exterior of the jar, then carefully dry it. You may want to move outside or lay down paper for the rest, because from there you will be cutting open the glow stick and pouring it into the mason jar. Seal it once that is done. Simply shake it to activate the glow and the effect will last for several hours.
Author Bio : Heather Bradford is a DIY and Home Improvement blogger who specializes in providing useful tips to beautify and optimize the space of a home. She posts new design tips regularly on her blog simple-outdoor.com.