Creating A Lush and Welcoming Landscape

Is hosting barbecue parties one of your favorite things to do in the summer months? Perhaps you love having people over to grill steaks and burgers and sip a few cocktails, all while relaxing in the great outdoors. True barbecue fans will be able to party anywhere. But you deserve a backyard that is customized to fit your needs and make those parties even more enjoyable. Here are some ways to make your backyard better suited to your barbecue party needs.

Put down a concrete pad for your grill.

Having to roll the grill out and over the grass each time you want to barbecue gets old pretty quickly. Plus, you damage the lawn with the grill's wheels -- and the heat from the grill may also cause some of the grass to die off. Consider having a concrete pad poured specifically for the grill. Your concrete company can even treat the concrete with a special, heat-resistant coating so it does not crack or split as a result of the heat exposure. Your grill can sit on the pad permanently as long as you have a heavy-duty cover to put over it when the weather is less than favorable.

Plant flowers and shrubs that deter mosquitoes.

There's nothing worse than settling down into your seat with a nice burger only to have mosquitoes start biting at your arms. Improving the drainage in your yard will help keep mosquitoes away, since they tend to prefer moist areas. However, you can also plant some bushes and flowers that these insects find unappealing. Marigolds, catnip, lemon balm, and peppermint are all good choices. Garlic also works well -- and you can harvest it for use in your favorite barbecue recipes at the end of the summer! Your guests will appreciate not having to spray themselves down with bug repellent before the meal.

Put up some sort of awning.

Summer is prime barbecue season -- but it's also the prime season for sunshine. Sunburn is a real concern, and it can increase your risk of skin cancer substantially. So, make sure you provide some sort of awning for those who would rather avoid the sun's damaging rays. This could be as simple as a large umbrella mounted to the center of one of your tables. Or, you could have a permanent or retractable awning mounted to the back of your house, perhaps over your patio.

Leave space for lawn games.

Barbecuing is fun, but once the meal is over, what will everyone do? Make sure your yard has some space for lawn games like bocce ball and lawn darts. You could even build in some horseshoe rods so visitors can easily play horseshoes when they're finished with their meal.

Consider setting up a bar.

Whether or not you and your friends drink alcohol, setting up a bar in the backyard can make barbecues much more fun. You'll have somewhere to set your glasses and pour drinks, whether they're alcoholic or not. You can stash items like condiments, extra hot dogs, and ice in small refrigerator/freezer behind the bar rather than relying on a cooler for this purpose. Even if you don't have plumbing running to the bar, you can set up a portable handwashing station, making it easier for guests (and the cook) to stay sanitary throughout the day.

With the tips above, you can make your backyard better suited to your needs as a barbecue aficionado. You don't have to make all of these changes at once. Instead, you can try making one upgrade a year. Over time, your place will become the neighborhood's favorite place to go for delicious barbecue treats and socialization. Talk to a company such as Bear Claw Landscaping, Inc. for more ideas and information.