Backyard Decluttering for Summer Fun, S3E5

Your backyard is calling — and it's asking you to please remove the empty pots, tangled hoses, and dead planters that have been haunting the porch since last October. 🌿

Julie & Janis are back with a fresh Magazine Moment, diving into Bonnie Ferrero's article from Backyard Garden Lover: *12 Easy Fixes to Declutter the Yard and Make It Pop!* Same small-doable-doses energy you love — just taken outside!

12 Easy Fixes

**1. Gather & Remove Yard Clutter**
Walk your property with a trash bag and a bin. Toss what's garbage, store what belongs elsewhere, and give everything a permanent home.

**2. Trim & Define Overgrown Edges**
Clean edging along walkways and driveways is like lipstick — it pulls the whole look together. Edge every few mows to maintain those crisp lines!

**3. Pull Weeds from Visible Flower Beds**
Pull after rain when soil is soft, get the entire root, then apply 2-3 inches of fresh mulch to suppress regrowth. Cardboard under mulch works wonders for the whole season!

**4. Prune Dead or Unruly Branches**
Remove dead, broken, or crossing branches to restore plant shapes and promote health. Research the best pruning time for your specific plants first!

**5. Sweep Porches & Walkways**
Make sweeping a weekly habit. Julie's tip: boiling water on cobblestone walkways kills weeds between bricks — fast, easy, and chemical-free!

**6. Store Your Garden Hose Properly**
Neatly coiled hoses last longer, prevent kinking, and eliminate tripping hazards. A wall hook, hose reel, or retractable reel all work beautifully.

**7. Patch & Seed Bare Lawn Spots**
Rake, seed, top-dress with compost, and water daily until established. Fuller lawn, happier yard.

**8. Clean Up Around Tree Bases**
Create a 2-3 foot mulched ring around tree trunks — keeps things tidy AND protects tree health. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk itself!

**9. Refresh or Remove Dead Planters**
Plant skeletons = instant eyesore. Empty, clean, and replant — or trade pots with neighbors like Julie's street does. Community pot swap, anyone? 😄

**10. Brighten Your Hardscape**
Sweep and scrub patios and outdoor furniture. A power washer at the start and end of summer makes a dramatic difference fast.

**11. Fix or Replace Broken Outdoor Lighting**
Leaning, broken solar lights do more harm than good. Straighten, clean the solar panels, or replace entirely. Fewer working lights beats a full set that looks neglected.

**12. Add Fresh Mulch**
Mulch is the single most powerful quick-win for your yard — suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and makes everything look professionally landscaped. Start with your most visible beds first!

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**Connect With Us!**
📘 Facebook: ABC DEclutter with JJ
💻 www.ABCDeclutter.com

Tired of playing catch-up indoors too? Join the **Clutter Crushers Club** — live decluttering sessions four times per month, real community, zero judgment. 👉 www.ABCDEclutter.com

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Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!