10 One Hour Backyard Projects - Great Lakes Ace Hardware Store Header

Improve Your Backyard One Hour At A Time

We all want better backyards, but we do not always have the time it would take to create ideal outdoor living areas for relaxing and entertaining. Making time is not always easy, but these one-hour backyard improvement projects can help inspire you to focus your efforts and spend your spare time creating and improving outdoor spaces for you, your family and your guests to enjoy.


Clear the Clutter

The first task in any plan to improve your backyard should be clearing the clutter. Find a permanent homes for dog beds, children’s toys, yard tools and other items so that they can be put away when not in use. Remove unnecessary items from the area to free up more space for entertaining and create a clutter-free area for relaxing.


Trim Trees, Hedges & Bushes

Trim low-hanging tree branches, get your hedges back in shape and tame the bushes that are threatening to take over your yard. If these tasks are seriously overdue, this may take more than an hour, break it up into one-hour chunks to help you get through it.


Repair & Replace

Consider landscaping features that are already in your yard that are in need of repair or replacement. Get your current features in working order.


Hang String Lights

One of the easiest and quickest ways to improve an outdoor entertaining space is to hang string lights. This simple lighting option is perfect for illuminating dark corners, adding soft lighting to set the mood and providing a finishing touch to your patio décor. You can hang the lights from the rafters of a covered patio or along the top of a pergola, and you can even find string lights specifically designed for patio umbrellas.


Paint Your Planters

Container gardens are a great choice for folks who like to garden but who do not have a lot of time to dedicate to yard work. If you are also a bit on the crafty side and like to paint, you can take on this easy project to enhance the look of your yard and patio. Simply adding a pop of vibrant color or refreshing the look of faded planters can help transform a lackluster space into an inviting entertaining area.


Install Solar Path Lights

Solar-powered landscape lighting is simple and super-quick to install, since you basically just pick a spot and stick the stake in the ground. Making installing solar walkway lights an easy, quick home improvement that will help guide the flow of traffic through your yard and enhance the visual appeal of your yard.


Install Hooks to Hang Plants

Take an hour to install hooks along the top of your patio, porch or pergola, and hang planters filled with colorful blooms to bring new life to your outdoor living areas.


Feed Your Flowers

It only takes a few minutes to feed your flowers with a slow-release fertilizer that will help them stay healthy and blooming to their fullest potential. By going with a slow-release fertilizer, you can keep your flowers looking fantastic with longer intervals between feedings.


Bring on the Mulch

By spending an hour spreading mulch or compost around the plants in your backyard you can reduce weed growth, add nutrients to
the soil, improve water retention and soil moisture, and improve the look of your yard.