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

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July ’s retentive day and warmer conditions mean there ’s quite a little of good cause to be outside , and no shortage of task to tackle . There ’s plenty to do inside the household clock time of year , too , and the good news is that you may keep cool while doing it . This month ’s to - do list admit a small cleansing , a little plant feeding , and preparations for both storms and vacations .

1. Spruce Up Your Finished Basement

In most homes , the cellar is the coolest room in the whole home , which makes it agreatplace to hide out in the summer . If you do n’t have the fourth dimension or money to devote to a full basement remodel , you could make afew elementary changesto slick up up the space . Considerpainting the concrete base , or DIYing anotherbasement flooringoption that ’s right for your blank space . If you ’re not stabbing to do any Reno , consider shop for a secondhand pool board , table tennis apparatus , or another way to keep your gang entertained indoors .

2. Stay on Top of Swimming Pool Maintenance

At this metre of year , pool care and alimony can experience like a part - time line , but it ’s one with big , refreshing payoff . Be indisputable to test water with apool test kitat least a twosome prison term a week , exert chlorine and pH point to slim alga growth , and remove leaves and junk that could clog thepool filterand drainage . require to outsource some of these houseclean responsibilities to a trustworthy golem ? Check outour tested guide to the good golem pool cleaners .

3. Prep for Storms

Do n’t await for tempest clouds or tornado warnings before shoring up your uttermost weather supplies . Be certain to haveflashlightsandbatterieson hand , and stock up on solid food and weewee . When you get tidings that a wicked storm might be headed your manner , be certain to buck your mobile gadget . If you live in an area prone to flooding , make certain thesump pumpis in beneficial working rescript . in the end , verify yourbug - out bag essentialsare always refreshed and ready to go .

4. Secure Your House Before Vacationing

Before you pile your bags and exit home in favor of more alien locales , take some time tosecure the mansion against intruders . Overgrown lawn , overfill letter box , and darkened porch lights are all cues to burglars that your house is untenanted , and an easy fair game for home invasion . remain on the defense by hiring a neighborhood child to mow the lawn , and reach out to the post office to stop your mail . To keep the lights on even while you ’re out , use a light timekeeper , or invest in an app - controlledsmart lighting system .

5. Remove Bugs From Outdoor Light Fixtures

There are few summertime pastime as relaxing as enjoying a hushed evening on the porch with friends and kin , but a bug - filledoutdoor light fixturecan speedily kill the humor . After making sure it ’s cool to the touch , unscrew the glass portion of the fixture , rinse out any debris or deadened flies , then replace it . To thin insect activity in the area , reckon into hang abug zappernearby .

6. Clean the Fridge

Here ’s a project for a sweltering summertime day : mystifying - cleanse the refrigerator . slay food for thought , condiments , and electric refrigerator liner and pass over down everything with ardent water and balmy peach liquid ecstasy . Clean scum bag from the gasket , as well as telegram racks , crevices , and behind crisper draftsman . Wipe condiment jars and cartons to remove embarrassing spots before returning them to the electric refrigerator . Take a moment to make certain therefrigerator temperature is on its optimal setting , and switch out therefrigerator water supply filterif it ’s fourth dimension to do so . We wo n’t blame you if you spend an extra minute or two in the coolheaded zephyr !

7. Give Birds a Place to Bathe

Help backyard wildlife beat the heat this summertime by adding abird bathto your garden . The water will entice songbirds to the yard , bringing a minute of sunniness to your out-of-door space . Be sure to dump the piddle on a regular basis to eliminate mosquito larvae , and keep it clean and good for your feathered friends . Not certain where to put a newfangled birdbath ? learn our take onoptimal birdbath placement .

8. Feed the Flowers

It ’s now prime growing season for plant , but they still call for food to keep them large and luxuriant . Using a liquidfertilizer , provender outdoor container industrial plant twice weekly . Avoid the base of the plant to reduce the risk of burning them . Your garden will reward you with fast growth and beautiful flowers , much overnight .

9. Trim the Trees

In many regions , summerthunderstormsare rolling in , pee-pee tree sustainment imperative form . Dead outgrowth can break off and fall during storms , damaging roofs , landscaping , and occasionally even downing power line of credit . Prune idle branchesnow to guide clear of problem . While you ’re at it , dispatch soft touch — those tiny branch sprouting in unmated place along the tree diagram trunk or limbs . Although they may seem harmless , they hive off a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s DOE from the higher branch , sabotage the plant .

10. Nurture the Roses

If you have them in your garden , you get laid thatroses require limited careto pass on their full potency . Since their root go deep , frequent watering is important . So , too , is using a dedicatedrose plant food , which you should repose down after each flush of novel rosiness .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll assist you set up up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised bed , or an in - ground game out back — and select the good plant for your soil and part .

Aerial view, depicting man wearing straw hat and check shirt, watering a colorful flowerbed on his garden lawn.