Today’s the day! It’s National “Make a list of all the outdoor projects you’ll never finish” Day. Have you heard of it?
That’s because I just made it up.
But I figure that almost every day brings some sort of crazy national celebration. I mean, National Siblings Day? Pizza Day? Cake Day? Pet Appreciation Day? (Isn’t that every day?)
I’m totally in favor of any day of celebration. Especially if it involves cake. And I figured we needed a day to commit to all the outdoor curb appeal projects we’ll never actually complete. Hurrah.
With sunshine and warmer temperatures arriving in the Midwest, we are ready for those outdoor projects. We started plenty of curb appeal and landscaping projects late last summer, but there’s plenty more to do. And what better day to do it than today – National “Make a list of all the outdoor projects you’ll never finish” Day.
Here’s our list …
Plant a windbreak. (Ryan just finished this – hurrah!)
Mulch and add to perennial landscaping around the front of the house.
This area is already looking promising after planting a load of bulbs and perennials last fall. We need to spruce up the mulch and adjust some of the spacing, but I think it will look great.
Create a path from the front porch.
Rock? Stone? Brick? We need a walking path for the UPS guy. I mean, our friends and family.
Add skirting under front porch.
Our front porch and stairs were finished last fall. Now we need to hide what’s under there. Hoping to finish that this summer.
Plant more grass in bare spots.
The grass is filling in nicely, but there are still some bare spots. Would love to get this lush and green this year.
Add more low-maintenance perennials around barn.
We moved some of the plants around, and I’d like to make the area around the barn look nice all year – but also be low-maintenance. I’m thinking of adding more day lillies and grasses.
Finish cleaning and organizing house garage.
We still have some work to do to make both the garages totally organized and functional.
Finish rock and landscaping underneath the back porch.
This is an extension of the area where Ryan built a retaining wall last year. I’d really like to make this space look intentional – and it may be a good spot for all the outdoor toys.
Create a small herb garden on the back porch.
I have a quick and easy plan to make herbs and lettuce more accessible by keeping them right on the back porch.
Plant veggie garden.
We are downsizing the garden this year to make it a bit more manageable. My goal is to actually weed it, but no promises.
Move and organize outdoor toys.
The outdoor toys keep multiplying. What do I do with all of them? I’m open to suggestions here. I have no plans or ideas.
Clean and decorate the front porch – add more seating.
I would love to create a nice little seating area on the front porch.
Clean and prep the back porch.
Winter is rough on outdoor spaces. The back porch needs a deep cleaning. And it also needs a new screen on one wall because the wind actually ripped it off this winter. Living in the country isn’t for the faint of heart.
Landscape the back of the house near the garage door.
Our garage man door got a little paving last year, which looks great. But now, we need to deal with all the mud around the pavers.
So, that’s my list. So far. I don’t write this to promise I’ll do it all.
I write it because it’s National “Make a list of all the outdoor projects you’ll never finish” Day and it’s a requirement. If you don’t make a list, something dreadful will happen to you and your second cousin’s best friend’s dad. It’s science.
Just kidding.
But I would love to hear about your outdoor list this year …
What’s on your curb appeal wish list?
(Don’t worry. I won’t hold you to it.)
Did you like this post?
We'd love to send you more inspiration and encouragement for your home. When you sign up below, we'll send you our free guide to save thousands on your next home project. Because your home shouldn't own you.
Emmerey Rose says
It’s rainy season here in our place. But I’d love to do a lot of our yard as well. I have a long list of TO-DOs. By the way, what is the exact color of your grey-sih blue wall? just curious 🙂 Thanks a lot Kim!
Kim Woodward says
The siding is painted in Behr Marquee Magnet – more details in this post – http://wp.me/p3iBxJ-71q
Em says
As a delivery person (USPS!) , let me be real with you. We’d much prefer to leave it at your garage. Every set of steps is a risk of tripping, slipping, or falling. Mail carriers may face a couple dozen a day, UPS/FedEx face potentially HUNDREDS a day. If you don’t plan to leave your garage open a nice parcel box (lidded rubber tote in a wooden box labeled “Parcels”) is a great idea by the garage for large packages. Plus your drive way is probably easier turn around at the garage than anywhere else. Your mail carrier and delivery driver will love you (as soon as they realize it’s there and that they don’t have to tromp up and down a set of stairs).
Stephanie Marchetti says
I have quite the ambitious list for this year since it’ll be our first full summer in the new house… but like you I’m aiming to plant stuff that is low maintenance and easy. ground cover, bulbs, and lots and lots of mulch. Godspeed!!
Cassie Bustamante says
great list and plans! we are terrible at making plans and just wing it, but it all gets done. 😉 also i love your house.
Kim Woodward says
Yeah – we’ll have to see how well we stick to plan. 😉
Meredith says
We are up to our eye balls in outdoor this summer too!
This year:
4 raised garden beds
Build a flagstone patio
Tend the flowering bushes we planted last year
Re-paint the front porch and porch ceiling
When we first moved in to our house I planted perennial herbs and roses in the front garden beds. Our rosemary and sage are now huge, the thyme is creeping along, and the knock out roses are so easy. This year I added lavender and planters full of mint to the edible mix!
Kim Woodward says
Sounds like a busy summer! The flagstone patio sounds awesome!
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
I make such a list, too! In fact, you’re making me think about my list now, and it’s freaking me out a little bit….
Kayla AKA Kilo Bravo says
Oh our list is almost as long as yours! This is “The Year of the Yard” in our household. I’ve been tackling outdoor projects all week on my lunch break now that work has slowed down (Happy Tax Day!) and at night with my cute headlamp (seriously, when else do people do stuff with small children) in an effort to have our yard at least looking presentable by our second son’s first birthday (in 16 days, but who is counting?) Grass can grow that fast right!?!?! Just tell me yes, or I’ll be handing out plastic bags for people to tie around their shoes at the party. Good luck to you guys!
Kate says
We manage our smaller outdoor toys by keeping them in 2 deck boxes– with a tall laundry basket inside one of them for the smaller items–balls, frisbees etc. Bigger riding toys we kept in our garage. Outside toys take over quickly just like the indoor ones do!
Kim Woodward says
This is a great idea! I’ll keep an eye out for deck boxes.
Kate says
Target usually has them on sale in the Spring! We got the low kind that the lid opens up and are shown to hold seat cushions. Every Spring we empty them out and power wash them!
Kim Woodward says
I spotted a few at Aldi this week! May have to pull the trigger.
Becca says
I love it – it should definitely be a holiday! Our list includes: replacing lava rock with river rock, planting an herb garden, and finishing our back deck (almost done!) Chances of us actually getting it done: 50%. Chances of me eating cake today: 100%. 🙂