How to come out of the Covid-19 crisis with a 5-star backyard

Covid-19 has had an extraordinary impact on the global economy and wreaked havoc with the lives of billions of people. Plus, with strict social distancing measures still in place for much of the world, you can’t even head out to take your mind off the crisis.

But, as with any calamity, there are some silver linings. With the right frame of mind, this time could even be something of an opportunity. Spending more time at home? Spend that time improving your backyard. And now that you can take a trip down to the local nursery, it’s never been a better time.

Here are our tips on how to come out of the Covid-19 crisis with a glorious, 5-star backyard.

Plant a veggie garden

Until just a few months ago, only doomsday preppers were worried about food shortages. Now that we’ve all seen how quickly the shelves can be stripped bare, more people are getting interested in growing their own food.

As well as being practical, a veggie garden can look great too. It’ll save you money in the long run, and the pride you’ll feel watching your seeds sprout is priceless. To get started, look up which plants are in season and purchase the right seeds. You can also get tools and landscaping supplies delivered to your home.

Make your backyard more fun for the kids

If you’re sharing a backyard with little ones, there are many thoughtful projects you could embark upon. Depending on your level of skill and your confidence, you might try:

• Building a treehouse
• Setting up a swing
• Removing some trees and making space for backyard cricket

Do all those little jobs you’ve been putting off doing

One of the best ways to improve the look of your yard is just to tidy it up. It is often more impressive to have a modest but impeccably maintained yard rather than a sprawling, grandiose mess. So rake those leaves and pull out those weeds — it’s time to do all those little jobs that there never seems to be time for. Other tasks might include:

• Mowing the lawn
• Whiper snippering
• Trimming the hedges
• Cleaning out the gutters
• Applying a fresh coat of paint where it is needed

Home entertaining

In places where restrictions are starting to lift, it is safe to have some friends and family over to the house. Make your pad the place to be with some sensational home entertainment additions, like a deck, or a hot tub.

An increasingly popular idea is installing a projector and a screen. It’s a new favourite, and a sensible one too since nobody knows when the cinemas will open again (or if they’ll stay open).

Fix your fences

You’re spending much more time at home, but so are your neighbours. Take the time to improve your fences and your privacy. Plus, if you have any pets, you’ll have better peace of mind knowing they’re secure on your property.

Container garden

Perfect for renters, a container garden gives you all the fun of growing a verdant garden without upsetting your landlord. Containers for these gardens come in all different shapes and sizes, and the only limit for what you do with them is your own imagination. They can be a good investment, too; when the time comes for you to move into a different property, it’s easy to take your garden with you.