It’s summer, you have a backyard you finally get to enjoy, you have some spare time, and the weather is perfect. What better way to spend the summer months than being outside in the fresh air doing something you love? From gardening to creating a back yard oasis, here are plenty of activities and hobbies to relax outside.
Bird Watching
Whenever your life seems to be on fast forward and you just want to reconnect with nature, sit outside for an hour and do some bird watching. Grab a birding book or better yet, download a birding app on your smart phone to make the most of your time. Try Birds Near Me, eBird by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, or BirdsEye Bird Finding Tool to learn about all the winged creatures in your neighborhood, how to spot them and how to categorize them.
Gardening
Give your back yard a makeover this season with a pop of color in a garden all your own. Try something different than the standard, such as a Wine Country Garden, reminiscent of a Napa Valley country-inspired cottage style garden complete with lavender, rosemary, irises and fruit trees, suggests Country Living. Or, create a path with boxwood hedges leading to a tranquil fountain and peppered with porcelain berry vines, black-eyed Susan, cat mint and bee balm.
Create a Backyard Oasis
If your yard is just ho-hum, it’s time to spice things up a bit by creating an outdoor living space that defines you. Add a full kitchen, fire pit, eating, sitting and living areas, with each element you add bringing harmony to the whole. From custom pools and gazebos to arbors and water features, you can finally have the backyard of your dreams. Imagine, relaxing by the pool with a drink in your hand, listening to the soft gurgle of a small waterfall and fountain, followed by roasting marshmallows over an open flame later in the evening. By bringing the inside out, you’re no longer held back by the parameters of your home.
Star Gazing
Astronomy is a fun pastime for many with a clear view to the sky. Check out these cool apps as outlined by Network World that will help you pursue your backyard hobby. iSkyGaze help you locate your favorite solar system object from your location on any given day, along with rise/set times, current location in the sky and viewing tips. Get Mars weather reports on Phoenix Mars Mission and connect with area astronomy clubs and their stargazing events as part of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Go StarGaze.
There’s plenty to do in your backyard this summer. Get creative, have fun, and learn something new. In many cases, such as when creating a garden, you can cultivate your own food to incorporate into your nightly dinners, from fresh berries to lettuce to tomatoes.
Judd Builders can help you create that outdoor oasis. Give us a call to find out how to get started.