Now that summer is here, our thoughts naturally turn to vacation, but COVID-19 rates have been soaring as states attempt a return to normal. What does this mean for those of us who are concerned about preventing the spread of the virus and staying safe until a vaccine can be found? It means we plan a staycation.

Wait a minute! Why would I ever want to plan a staycation when I’ve been staying at home since March after spending most of the winter at home because of the weather???

We do what we do for the people we love and want to protect, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make the best of a tough situation.

If you have a porch or a backyard, it’s time to rediscover its wonders, because you will probably be spending most of your free time there. If you live in an apartment and are lucky enough to have some sort of balcony it can be your summer paradise. We’ll be discussing what to do for all three in this article.

Money may be tight right now, so it’s important to create a budget and stick to it. If your neighbors are thinning their perennials, they will probably be giving plants away. Call them and arrange for a contact-free pick-up or exchange of plants. Tty to recycle, re-purpose, and/or reuse whenever possible. Paint is an inexpensive fix that can make a big impact.

Power wash your house and your deck/patio. Apply fresh paint or stain if needed.

For your porch:

After power washing and cleaning your porch decide what you have space to do. If you have chairs, freshen them up with a new coat of paint and new chair pads. Add a couple of potted plants and hanging planters. Make sure your address is clearly visible. Wherever your mailbox is, spruce it up with a fresh coat of paint. 

My niece, Priscilla, and her husband Carlos built a porch swing from plans and Priscilla made beautiful blue cushions for it. It has changed the way they use their porch and since it’s a project they did together, it’s a source of pride and accomplishment.

For your backyard:

First things first – get out the mower, weed whacker, hedge trimmers, rakes, shovels, hoes, and gardening gloves, and get busy. Do a quick yard clean up making sure to pick up any errant toys, trash, sticks, or loose rocks before you start mowing. Pull weeds and add some new plants to add color. Refresh your mulch – it looks gives your yard a fresh look protects your plants and saves on watering.

Depending on the size of your yard, you can make zones for eating, playing games, or reading and enjoying nature. Take inventory of what you have and consider how it can be used before spending any money.

Do you have a fire pit or designated eating area? Grill? Recreation area? If so, make sure they are party-ready. Just because you won’t be having those big neighborhood cookouts this year doesn’t mean your family can’t have their own outdoor fun.

For my birthday this year, I finally replaced my 20+-year-old grill and it was totally worth it. It’s a gift the whole family will enjoy year-round – yes, we shovel a path to the grill in winter.

I also splurged on a nice grill cover to keep this grill looking its best. Another thing I did this year was to ask my family for help with projects instead of gifts. So, sanding, painting, and landscaping are happening at my house between rain delays.

Picnic tables and wooden chairs can be painted in fun colors. Use your regular dishes outside instead of paper plates and plastic silverware. If you have young children, invest in some inexpensive Corning ware or a colorful set of melamine plates. Add some flowers from the yard for a colorful centerpiece and don’t skimp on the fresh fruits and vegetables for colorful meals.

I don’t have space for a vegetable garden, so I planted a vertical hanging garden. It’s early days (late start), but I have seedlings, so here’s hoping I see a few tomatoes and peppers.

Marigolds and citronella will help keep mosquitoes away. You can plant them in your back yard or add them to pots on your deck, porch, or balcony.

For your balcony:

Wash the space and check to be sure your railings are safe – if not report them to your landlord or building superintendent. If grills are allowed, make sure your grill is in a safe location. Add a small table with a couple of chairs if space permits and/or some potted flowers or tomato plants.

Stay safe and have a wonderful summer! We can get through this with a little self-care and some consideration for our fellow humans.