Genius Ways Your Backyard Can Give Back This Summer

Sunny days mean it’s time to throw open that back door and step in the great outdoors in your own backyard – but are you using your home’s outdoor space to its full potential? You already know that your backyard brings a lot of relaxation and fun to your life, but have you considered the other ways it could be giving back to the environment and your home? From planting pollinator flowers that feed the birds and bees to turning waste into resources, I’ve rounded up a few ways you can make the most of your backyard this (and every) summer.

Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.

monarch butterfly rests on a girl’s hand as a man points at it as milkweed grows in the background

Getty Images

1 / 15

The Pull of Pollinators

Sure, plants can be pretty – but they can also serve an important role in our backyard’s ecosystem that’s easy to overlook. Pollinators (like birds, bees, butterflies) help plants reproduce and pollinator-friendly plants attract pollinators.

country garden in spring with pots of tulips on the patio, flowers in the borders, flowering shrubs, a rose arch and a garden seat on the lawn

Getty Images

2 / 15

Planting to Pollinate

With that in mind – by going for plants that are known to attract pollinators (like lavender and coneflowers) – you can help your backyard support the local ecosystem.

Getty Images

3 / 15

Bring on the Buzzzz

If you want to be bee friendly, consider planting flowers and plants specifically to attract bees, like honeysuckle and sunflowers.

Getty Images

4 / 15

Leave the Dandelions

Sometimes, supporting pollinators in your yard isn’t so much about what your plant – it’s about what you don’t get rid of. Dandelions might look like weeds, but they’re also an important food source for pollinators like bees.

Getty Images

5 / 15

Build a Bee Bath

Beneficial insects like bees need fresh water to drink, but creeks or ponds can be dangerous for them (they might drown or be caught by predators in open water). Make your backyard a thirst-quenching refuge for these bees and birds by building them a water source. Place a shallow plate on the ground and then create landing spots by adding a few flat stones. Pour in fresh water (leave the tops of the stones dry, so the bees have somewhere to land) and replace the water every few days.

Getty Images

6 / 15

A Hotel for Bugs?

Seems wild, right? But seriously, building a bug hotel – and giving it prime real estate in your backyard – attracts pollinators and beneficial insects (to help naturally control pests) to your garden. This could be a fun, educational project to do with kids.

Monarch butterfly feeding off milkweed bloom

Getty Images

7 / 15

Design a Butterfly-Friendly Garden

Bees and insects aren’t the only pollinators that your backyard could be home to – with the right plants, your yard could become a habitat for butterflies in search of nectar plants (which they use for food and to lay their eggs on). Monarch butterflies, for example prefer nectar and host plants like milkweed.

Getty Images

8 / 15

Choose Native Plants

When deciding what to plant in the garden, many people think about light, drainage and look (all good considerations, for sure) – but they might not think about where plants are from. Planting native plants (that is, plants that are native to your particular region) in your yard can help support local wildlife, improve biodiversity and deliver better pest resistance. Pretty cool, right? You can learn more about native plants in your province here.

rows of salad items and different kinds of lettuce growing in a raised bed in a suburban garden

Getty Images

9 / 15

Grow Fresh

Is there anything more satisfying than growing (and eating) your own fresh vegetables? Whether you start a small container garden or plan out a big veggie patch, use your outdoor space’s summer light to grow something delicious.

Getty Images

10 / 15

Go Organic

While you’re working on your garden, you might want to consider growing without pesticides – working towards an organic garden can help you cut back on your environmental impact while growing veggies, herbs and flowers. Read about the basics of organic gardening to learn the essentials.

ruby throated hummingbird flies among deep saturated blue and red flowers

Getty Images

11 / 15

Seeing Red

Have you ever wondered why so many bird feeders are red? Fun fact: it’s not (just) for style. Hummingbirds have learned over time that bright red flowers are likely sources of nectar, so they look for red flowers. Make your garden a hummingbird haven by planting vibrantly hued perennials like bee balms and lupines.

plants growing in recycled tire planters

Getty Images

12 / 15

Give Old Things New Life

Another way your yard can give back? Make it the new home to items that no longer have a spot inside the house. Upcycled items can make interesting and unique planters and accessories in the yard or garden.

two compost bins in the family garden full

Getty Images

13 / 15

Create a Compost

Waste not, want not. If you have a larger backyard, a home compost system could be a good way to make the most of your kitchen waste like veggie scraps, egg shells and coffee grounds. Composting upcycles food scraps – turning them from waste into nutrient-rich soil.

modern home exterior with solar panel awnings

Getty Images

14 / 15

The Sun’s Power

Why not find a way to make the summer sun in your yard into power? Solar power harnesses the sun’s energy and turns it into electricity, making it a useful resource that not many of us take advantage of.

lawn with mixed foliage borders and bench

Getty Images

15 / 15

Go Natural

A lush green lawn is a classic sign of summer, but fertilizer and pesticides can impact the environment. That doesn’t mean you need to cut the grass out of your life though: try natural ways to keep your lawn green.