Welcome to Week 3 of the Spring One Room Challenge! This week I am focusing on outdoor Spring cleaning tips & ideas!
If you are just joining me this week, I am giving our outdoor living area a bit of a refresh. While our house was spared major damage when Hurricane Ian blew through southwest Florida in September 2022, our lanai did receive some damage. We also need to complete some patching and painting that should have been done when the outdoor addition was completed two years ago!
Links to Week 1 & Week 2 can be found at the end of this post!
A Brief Introduction!
No matter how you arrived here today, whether you are one of my regular readers or you found me on Google or via the One Room Challenge, I am so happy you are here! My name is Kimberly and I have a passion for flowers (a former florist) and flour (a former pizzeria owner) and many things in between! Especially rusty and chippy items!
I love to share all the things I have learned over the years. Sometimes I tell stories about my life. Other times, I will share a craft or a recipe. I often use thyme in place of time. It isn’t that I don’t know how to spell, it is because of my background in herbs. I like to add a little spice to my writing! Oh wait, thyme is an herb….
I hope you enjoy your thyme here today and learn at least one thing during your visit!
If you are interested in learning more about my entrepreneurial journey, some interesting details can be found here: Sprout, Grow & Bloom!
Let’s get get to work!
Let’s Start with A Clean Area
Once the screens were repaired and the missing bolts replaced in the cage, it was thyme to deep clean the deck and pool cage.
This cleaning process is actually part of our normal household maintenance. Our subdivision requires us to have a pool cage if we have a pool. I would want one anyway. The pool cage keeps out the larger wildlife (think alligators) as well most of the leaves. It doesn’t keep out the dirt and sand though so it is important to wash it off a few times a year. Because of the damage to the screens and cage, it was a bit more time consuming than usual.
I have included an Outdoor Spring Cleaning Checklist as part of this post.
This process started with clearing the north section of the lanai. All of the outdoor furniture and deck boxes (yes, plural deck boxes…) were moved to the opposite side of the lanai.
As usual, Dave did the physical labor of power washing the cage and the deck. Dave wore my Dad’s old rubber boots. They are a bit big for Dave but they help keep his feet dry when he is power washing the cage or the pool deck.
We broke the power washing task into two days. The second day, we moved the furniture, etc to the north side in order to clean the south part of the area. It was warmer that day so Dave wore his favorite shorts! And Dad’s boots!
Once all the power washing was done, we moved the furniture and deck boxes back to where they were. I have plans for rearranging a few of the areas. I can mark the power washing off of my Spring Outdoor Cleaning Checklist!
Outdoor Spring Cleaning Checklist
Spring is the perfect thyme to give your outdoor space a deep clean and get it ready for the warmer months ahead. Tasks can range from clearing out debris to organizing your gardening tools.
Consider putting these items on your outdoor Spring cleaning checklist!
Clear out any plant litter and items cluttering your space
The first step in spring cleaning your outdoor space is to clear out any debris and clutter that may have accumulated over the winter months. This includes removing any fallen branches or leaves, picking up any trash or litter, and getting rid of any old or broken outdoor furniture or equipment. Once you have cleared out the clutter, you will have a clean slate to work with and can move on to the next steps in the cleaning process.
Sweep and power wash your deck or patio.
After a long winter, your deck or patio may be covered in dirt, grime, and even mold. Sweeping and power washing your outdoor space is an important step in spring cleaning. After sweeping away any debris or leaves, use a power washer to remove any built-up dirt or stains. If you don’t have a power washer, you can rent one from a home improvement store or hire a professional to do the job for you. Of course, depending on the size of your outdoor area, you might be able to just wash it off using a hose with a strong nozzle.
Clean and organize your gardening tools.
As you prepare your outdoor space for spring, don’t forget about your gardening tools. Over time, tools can become rusty, dull, or damaged, making them less effective and even dangerous to use. Start by cleaning your tools with soap and water, then dry them thoroughly. Sharpen any blades or edges that have become dull, and replace any tools that are beyond repair. Finally, organize your tools in a way that makes them easy to access and use. Consider hanging them on a pegboard or storing them in a tool shed or cabinet. With clean and organized tools, you’ll be ready to tackle your spring gardening projects with ease.
Trim and prune any overgrown plants or trees.
Overgrown plants, shrubs and trees look messy. They can also be a safety hazard. Take the time to trim back any branches and foliage that is obstructing sidewalks or paths. This will help keep your property from looking unkempt as well as make it safer for you and your guests.
Be sure to use the proper tools and techniques for pruning to avoid damaging the plants or trees. If you’re unsure about how to properly prune or care for your landscape plants, I recommend contacting your county Extension office for advice. Every county within the United States has an Extension office. The Extension office is staffed with people who work closely with university-based Extension specialists. These folks can answer to your questions about gardening, agriculture, and pest control. This service is free.
Add fresh mulch or soil to your garden beds.
Spring is the perfect time to refresh your garden beds by adding fresh mulch or soil. Not only will this improve the appearance of your outdoor space, but it will also provide important nutrients for your plants. Start by removing any weeds or debris from your garden beds. Then, add a layer of compost or fertilizer to the soil if necessary. Finally, add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and prevent weed growth. Be sure to choose a mulch that complements the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space.
Next up:
Almost thyme to break out the spray paint and finally finish the makeover this mesh table top needs! I know she doesn’t look like much in the photo but she has amazing patina! And I found her some new legs! These legs were bent beyond repair when the table was moved from Illinois to Florida.
Come back next week to see how it turns out!
Goals for Creating a Calming Coastal Themed Retreat:
As part of the Spring 2023 ORC, I plan to finally get the walls patched and painted. I am slowly accomplishing the items on my list!
- Replace Damaged Screens and Properly Secure The Cage
- Clean the travertine tile to remove dirt, grime & algae
- Patch & Paint stucco walls
- Clean & Paint metal support beams
- Add mulch around perimeter of lanai cage
- refresh patio pots around lanai cage.
- Add more lighting to the pool cage area
- repaint mesh patio table top
- rearrange patio furniture
- use existing storage more effectively
- set up a potting area outside the lanai
A Simple Explanation of the One Room Challenge
In 2011, Linda Weinstein decided to join together with a small group of her online friends with the goal of finishing a room in a designated amount of time. The group of friends worked on their projects and helped motivate each other to stay on track. She named the event One Room Challenge®, since staying focused and completing the project could be quite a challenge.
Fast forward to the present and the event is now held bi-annually. The One Room Challenge showcases designers and Social Media Influencers. The campaign begins on the first Wednesday of every April & October. The campaign hopes to inspire individuals by showcasing new ideas and trends in home design and decor.
Bloggers and other social media influencers are welcome to join in the challenge as Guest Participants. For the next 8 Wednesdays (starting April 5th), the participants will be sharing their progress on their blogs and various social media platforms.
Please check out all the other amazing projects! They can be found here: One Room Challenge
To follow my journey with the Spring 2023 One Room Challenge:
Start here: Spring 2023 One Room Challenge
Week 2: Spring 2023 ORC Week 2
Cheering you on from the ORC sidelines!
Thank you! Enjoying following your bathroom remodel!
I recall growing up getting the pool ready to open every year, and I dreaded the task of cleaning it up! LOL. You make it all seem so easy, not as I recall. Of course, I was a kid, and kids do not always enjoy cleaning, we just like the fun. Thank you for sharing.
Well, it looks easy for me since my husband does most of the actual work! I just show up for the fun part… making it look pretty!