Chores are boring. Anyone can get stuck doing them and when one is finished, where’s the pride in accomplishment? Instead of getting oneself bogged down in doing the necessary work around the house, why not consider jumping into one (or all!) of the following three projects that can easily be started now and completed well in advance of the scorching heat likely to befall the DIYers this summer.
Build a Composting Station
Depending upon the person undertaking this little project, the sexiness factor of having a fully operational compost pile can be amazing or drudgery. Going for the former over the latter is the goal here.
For those wanting to the easy route and simply buy a composting system, there are some very interesting options on the market, including some very easy to use rotating drum style compost barrels. Even if one goes this route, having a solid pad for their barrel to rest upon can be a good quick project to undertake.
Though easy, those pre-made solutions can get pricey. Instead, digging a square of at a minimum three foot long and wide and approximately eight to twelve inches is a great place to start the compost project. One only needs a shovel, some labor, and the time.
Be sure to save the excavated dirt to use later. As kitchen and generally organic household wastes are collected they can be piled in the dug out section of the yard. Mound over the materials with a little bit of dirt, generally keep moist (water if necessary) and turn the pile over onto new materials on a regular basis. Add more dirt from your saved pile and as it grows, the compost will increase. By the time summer comes around, the usable material may just be surprising.
One Afternoon Planter Project
Here is a unique and interesting planter concept that can be done in the span of one Saturday. Most of the neighborhood hardware or builder supply stores should have adequate supplies of rain gutters. Depending upon the available space at the side of ones house that receives adequate natural lighting for the bulk of the day (or at least afternoon) one can determine how many feet of gutter to purchase.
While at the hardware store be sure to purchase appropriate fasteners and welding supplies which will allow the gutter to be secured to the specific type of siding on the home. Once installed, in single, double or triple levels, it is paramount that small drainage holes be drilled in the bottom of the currently empty gutter to allow for proper drainage.
Now fill with a favorite potting soil and plant either seeds or small seedlings into the new growing space. By the time summer is here, if a vegetable garden has been cultivating one can reasonably expect to harvest a bounty of good eats.
Pest Prevention and Maintenance
Okay, this one may seem a little like work, however, if there is a significant other who routinely interrupts the fun stuff with requests for spider removal, this project is going to seem like a walk in the park.
As the warmer months approach most folks, insects and other creepy, crawlers tend to desire being inside the home. Procure some ant and spider powder from the local hardware or builder supply store and proceed to sprinkle a generous amount in a line near the foundation of the home. Be sure to read the instructions as some of this pest repellent requires a light sprinkling of water to activate. Additionally, this particular activity should preferably be completed when there is no sign of oncoming rain.
Once the foundation has been dealt with look up. The chances that flying insects have started building new homes is very good. Wait until dusk, the temperatures of the day are cooler and spray the nests of hornets and other fliers with appropriate insecticide designed to quietly extinguish these potentially dangerous pests. The following day it should be perfectly reasonable to use a high pressure nozzle on the garden hose to spray off those now unused nests.
There are always fun and interesting along with the sometimes necessary projects to do around ones home. Having fun with these tasks is what quality home ownership is all about.
