This month's challenge is to go outside and clear out the messy areas of your backyard. I have broken this challenge into five mini-challenges, so it's not as intimidating. Good luck! Here are the mini challenge zones to help you get your backyard super organized.
Jump to:
First, start with your tool zones. Another name for it is "Tool Zones," because, as you know, there are many tools (affiliate) in the backyard, and they may be stored in various locations.
1st mini challenge: The Tool Zones (shed, cabinet, and other tools):
Go through and gather your tools (affiliate) and place items together.
Are your tools (affiliate) in the same place? Do you have specific tools (affiliate) for specific tasks? What tasks do you do, and what tools (affiliate) do you use for those tasks?
Here are some of my posts to help you with this part of the challenge:
Outside cabinet storage organizing on a shoestring budget
2nd mini challenge: Gardening and flower bed zone:
Go around your gardening and flower beds and see if there are any changes you can make to help you save time with your tasks.
Is the hose nearby? Does it need to be closer to certain frequently watered areas? Should there be extra mulch or rock in certain areas? What areas need work? Write down the list of places that need to be modified. Then, determine what the priority is.
Here are some of my posts to help you with this part of the challenge:
Fun, Cheap, and easy practical outdoor gardening ideas
Organizing a Raised bed garden
3rd mini challenge: Cleaning the items outside:
Many pieces of furniture (affiliate) need to be cleaned before use. Chairs, tables, kid's play sets, grills, etc... are some examples.
Walk around your backyard and pretend you just came outside. What areas need the most attention? Now, let's list the areas that need to be cleaned.
Here are some of my posts to help you with this part of the challenge:
How to easily clean your grill - the complete guide
Winterizing your home (free checklist)
4th mini challenge: Outdoor toys zone:
This area includes the pool toys, balls, bats, etc... that may be stored outside.
How are those pool toys? Are they worn out or torn? Do they function anymore? Have the kids or adults, for that matter, used them? Look for all the balls in the backyard, both inside and outside the cabinets and on the ground. Are there any you can get rid of? Do they all have homes?
The 5th mini-challenge: Relaxing and sitting zone:
This is for the grown-up areas. The conversation areas, the dining areas, and the areas to just relax.
This area is your fun area. Your reward for a job well done. Add a new fountain (affiliate) or a pretty fire pit to the area. Outdoor area rugs (affiliate) are great too. Make this area an oasis you want to visit each evening after work.
I am so excited to share with you these awesome Professional Organizers posts that will also help you with organizing your backyard. Feel free to click through and check out their posts and blogs.
Spring Cleaning Outdoors by Hazel at Organized for Life
Organizing Our Backyard Deck Box by Hilda at From Overwhelmed to Organized
Well, that's it for this month. I hope this helps you make your backyard a relaxing and fun place. Please leave a comment or question so I can help you with the obstacles in your backyard. I would love to help.
Hazel Thornton says
Breaking tasks down into "mini-challenges" is a great idea! (I'm looking out my office window at my backyard as we speak.) Thanks for including my Spring Cleaning Outdoors blog post!
Autumn Leopold says
Great post! Way to make a lot of work seem like smaller tasks! I need to round up all of our garden tools and create a garden storage zone in the garage...thanks for the motivation!
Janet Barclay says
I love the way you broke this project down into five smaller ones. Your readers can do one a week, or blitz them all in one weekend, whatever works best for them. I don't have a backyard, but I would love to see a future post about organizing balconies!
Susan Cooper says
Hi Sabrina, I love my backyard and patio. It's one of my favorite spots for relaxing. But Wow, it really takes a lot of work to keep the yard beautiful and the furniture clean and the flowers all blooming. It seems like every day there is something that can be done. 🙂 YOur tips are great.