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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 Finished Basement
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 that’s right for your space. 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. Stay on Top of Swimming Pool Maintenance
At this time of year, pool care and maintenance can feel 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, 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. Prep for Storms
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
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 an app-controlled smart lighting system.
5. Remove Bugs From Outdoor Light Fixtures
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
Here’s a project for a sweltering summer day: Deep-clean 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
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
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. Trim the Trees
In many regions, summer thunderstorms are rolling in, making tree maintenance imperative. Dead branches can break and fall during storms, damaging roofs, landscaping, and occasionally even downing power lines. Prune dead branches now to steer clear of trouble. While you’re at it, remove suckers—those tiny branches sprouting in odd spots along the tree trunk or limbs. Although they may seem harmless, they divert a tree’s energy from the higher branches, weakening the plant.
10. Nurture the Roses
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.
