Getting outdoor ready for Ottawa Weather

The May long weekend is the unofficial start of summer and as the weather keeps warming up,  a lot of us want to spend more time outdoors. But before you step out into your outdoor oasis, let’s get it ready. Remember, your backyard is an extension of your home.

Inspect and Clean  

If you haven’t already, now’s the perfect time to clean out that garage. Earlier in the spring, we posted a step-by-step guide to get started. 

Our winters can do damage to furniture, siding, and decks. Snow accumulation and salt can leave cracks or stains and a good scrubbing will go a long way. Take the time to inspect and assess potential damage and make a list of items that might need replacing 

Clean Your Screens

Let the freshest air in by cleaning your screens (inside and out). We like to take them out of the window altogether, vacuum spiderwebs, and soak them in the tub or shower. You’ll want to let them dry in the sun before putting them back in.

Wash the exterior

Protect and increase curb appeal in one go! Dust, dirt, and salt can accumulate on siding and windows, and normally it’s worse on the side facing the road. If you’ve got access to a pressure washer, this will help. However, if you’re brave enough, a bucket of warm water and a ladder will do just as well.

If you’ve kept your chairs and tables outdoors over the winter, you’ll want to give it a good clean. If you had the extra room to keep it inside, stylize and enjoy!

Consider the vibe you want when placing chairs and tables - it is a backyard oasis after all!   

There are a lot of plants that can be brought outside and there’s a process called “hardening” indoor plants to prevent too much shock and sunburns. We like this guide from Flower’s Talk in Westboro.

Maintain Your AC Unit

Ideally before firing it up, take a look around your AC unit to remove plants that might be too close and make sure that the fan blades in the unit are not bent. A level air conditioning unit will also provide better air flow.

Re-seal your driveway

Sealing can boost your curb appeal and maintain the durability of the driveway. If your driveway is mostly gravel, rake it and potentially add a fresh layer of stone. This will not only improve the curb appeal, you’ll also cut down on weeds.

Garden landscape ready

If you’ve been to any garden centre later, you’ll likely have noticed the rainbow of colours that have come out already. It’s a great time to take some plants home and remember to think about the colour variations and when things bloom to keep blossoms and nice scents all summer long. 

Grass more your thing? Patch any bald spots with grass seed and in the early days seed needs a healthy hydration. 

For those who are lucky enough to have a pool, remove the cover and do a quick check on the water levels and the shape of your pump and hoses. Many stores in town will help you determine the

chemical levels you need to open your pool - just bring them a water sample.