Bob Vila’s 10 “Must Do” Projects for July

Before you soak up all that summer has to offer, check tasks like plant care, pool maintenance, and storm prep off your to-do list.
Aerial view, depicting man wearing straw hat and check shirt, watering a colorful flowerbed on his garden lawn.
Photo: Getty Images

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July’s longer days and warmer weather mean there’s plenty of good reason to be outside, and no shortage of tasks to tackle. There’s plenty to do inside the house time of year, too, and the good news is that you can keep cool while doing it. This month’s to-do list includes a little cleaning, a little plant feeding, and preparations for both storms and vacations.

1. Spruce Up Your Basement

Fun play room home interior. Basement room without windows with pool table, TV, games.
Photo: Depositphotos

In most homes, the basement is the coolest room in the whole house, which makes it a great place to hide out in the summertime. If you don’t have the time or money to devote to a full basement remodel, you can make a few simple changes to spruce up the space. Consider painting the concrete floor, or DIYing another basement flooring option. If you’re not keen to do any renos, consider shopping for a secondhand pool table, table tennis setup, or another way to keep your crew entertained indoors.

2. Keep Up With Swimming Pool Maintenance

Equipment for testing the quality of pool water and cleaning a pool, including a net and water test kit.
Photo: Getty Images Bill Oxford

At this time of year, pool care and maintenance feels like a part-time job, but it’s one with big, refreshing rewards. Be sure to test water with a pool test kit at least a couple times a week, treat the water with pool shock every week or so, maintain chlorine and pH levels to reduce algae growth, and remove leaves and debris that could clog the pool filter and drain. Want to outsource some of these cleaning responsibilities to a trusty robot? Check out our tested guide to the best robot pool cleaners.

3. Prepare for Storms

Necessities for emergency bag on wooden table, including first aid kit, medicine, food, and more.
Photo: Depositphotos

Don’t wait for storm clouds or tornado warnings before shoring up your extreme weather supplies. Be sure to have flashlights and batteries on hand, and stock up on food and water. When you receive news that a severe storm might be headed your way, be sure to charge your mobile devices. If you live in an area prone to flooding, make certain the sump pump is in good working order. Finally, make sure your bug-out bag essentials are always refreshed and ready to go.

4. Secure Your House Before Vacationing

The front and driveway of a luxury home, taken at dusk with all of the interior and exterior lights switched on.
Photo: Getty Images

Before you pack your bags and leave home in favor of more exotic locales, take some time to secure the house against intruders. Overgrown lawns, overfilled mailboxes, and darkened porch lights are all cues to burglars that your house is unoccupied, and an easy target for home invasion. Stay on the defense by hiring a neighborhood kid to mow the lawn, and contact the post office to stop your mail. To keep the lights on even while you’re out, use a light timer, or invest in smart light switches.

5. Remove Bugs From Outdoor Light Fixtures

Exterior home porch light illuminated after dark
Photo: iStock Photo: istockphoto.com

There are few summer pastimes as relaxing as enjoying a quiet evening on the porch with friends and family, but a bug-filled outdoor light fixture can quickly kill the mood. After making sure it’s cool to the touch, unscrew the glass portion of the fixture, rinse out any debris or dead flies, then replace it. To reduce insect activity in the area, look into hanging a bug zapper nearby.

6. Clean the Fridge

Person holding a food container with a stew in front of a full, open refrigerator.
Photo: Antonio Hugo via Getty Images

Here’s a project for a sweltering summer day: Deep-clean the inside of the refrigerator. Remove food, condiments, and fridge liners and wipe down everything with warm water and mild dish soap. Clean crumbs from the gasket, as well as wire racks, crevices, and behind crisper drawers. Wipe condiment jars and cartons to remove sticky spots before returning them to the fridge. Take a moment to make sure the refrigerator temperature is on its optimal setting, and switch out the refrigerator water filter if it’s time to do so. We won’t blame you if you spend an extra minute or two in the cool air!

7. Give Birds a Place to Bathe

A group of starlings enjoying a bird bath.
Photo: Depositphotos

Help backyard wildlife beat the heat this summer by adding a bird bath to your garden. The water will lure songbirds to the yard, bringing a bit of cheer to your outdoor space. Be sure to dump the water regularly to eliminate mosquito larvae, and keep it clean and safe for your feathered friends. Not sure where to put a new birdbath? Read our take on optimal birdbath placement.

8. Feed the Flowers

Person spraying plant with water distributed by hose spray wand.
Photo: iStock

It’s now prime growing season for plants, but they still need food to keep them large and lush. Using a liquid fertilizer, feed outdoor container plants twice weekly. Avoid the base of the plants to reduce the risk of burning them. Your garden will reward you with fast growth and beautiful flowers, practically overnight.

9. Repair and Seal the Driveway

Woman fills crack in concrete driveway with crack filler.
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

If your home has a driveway, identify a sunny but not blistering hot few days this month to give your it some TLC. Depending on whether your driveway is asphalt, concrete, gravel, or another material, this special attention might include filling cracks in asphalt or concrete, adding more gravel (and killing any weeds that are coming up through the stones), and removing stains from driveway surfaces. Once these tasks are done, consider sealing the driveway (recommended every 3 years or so for asphalt and every 4 to 5 years for concrete). Now your home’s approach is good as new!

10. Nurture the Roses

Watering pink rose bushes with a garden hose, water pooling around the bush.
Photo: iStock

If you have them in your garden, you know that roses require special care to reach their full potential. Since their roots go deep, frequent watering is important. So, too, is using a dedicated rose fertilizer, which you should lay down after each flush of new blooms.

 
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