With a down economy and more Americans tightening their spending, exotic vacations to faraway lands just aren’t in the budget these days. But just because you can’t travel doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a relaxing afternoon in your own backyard.

From installing fire pits to adding hanging baskets, many Americans are investing money to turn their backyards into a dreamy oasis. Here are a few ideas to take your backyard from drab to fab without breaking the bank:

Fire Pits Add a Wow Factor to Your Backyard

When looking for a fire pit, be sure to purchase one that is appropriate for your family. Some fire pits have an open flame, which might not be suitable for young children. Others have grates that cover the fire, making them safer for the whole family. Pits range in price from cheap to pricey for more elaborate designs. No matter the price range, you can be certain you are purchasing a beautiful focal point for your backyard that will add character and warmth to those summer nights.

At the end of summer, store your fire pit in a covered location like a garage or shed. You can also wrap it in a tarp to ensure it stays dry and safe from the elements. Your fire pit can rust easily, so it’s important to protect it. By covering it, you’ll help make sure it will be ready to go once the weather is warm enough again. With the proper care and maintenance, your nights with your fire pit will create lasting memories with your family and friends for years to come.

Plant Flowers to Add Beauty and Sophistication

Another way to turn your backyard into an oasis is by adding flowers to your landscaping. Planting colorful annuals can keep your backyard bright and cheery all summer long. If you have a covered patio in your backyard, purchasing hanging baskets will transform the space into a luxurious area to lounge and relax. Flowers help set a calming ambience and give your backyard an expensive resort feel. Remember, when you invest in your backyard, you only have to step outside to be on vacation.

Post by guest blogger Stephanie Kalina-Metzger, a writer who enjoys blogging about fire pits.

Note: Image courtesy of dowriterdawn.

Turn your Backyard into an Oasis with Fire Pits is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

Of the many ways to relax after a long day at the office, a surprisingly easy way is to sit on your backyard patio and take in the scenes from a relaxing bird bath. Whether you have a shady or sun-soaked backyard, wild birds and even a persnickety cat can just take your day down a notch and give you a sense of inner peace. Setting up a bird bath takes virtually no effort. If however you are a big time gardener, and you are looking to create a serene santuary, you can continuously improve upon your bird bath area until if becomes a destination you have to visit daily.

Consider these awesome looking bird baths that I found pictures of on Flickr:

I love the wild, somewhat uncontrolled look of this birdbath, with plants surrounding it, and in someways overtaking it. I would bet the birds in my backyard would almost view this birdbath as a hideaway. The birdbath itself looks like the kind you can find at your local hardware store. If not the hardware store, then a local lawn ornament shop would surely carry this. The photo comes from ChristaJoy42′s photostream.

How about just putting a birdbath on top of a stump? It sure looks like the approach the owner’s of the next birdbath did.The bath portion of this birdbath resembles a flower top, but if I am not mistaken the base is a nice wide tree stump, or just a cut piece of a tree.This is a very natural way to enhance your viewing pleasure. The benefit of a wide base like this is that your cat surely can’t tip this birdbath over. On occasion a cat in our neighborhood has actually knocked over our birdbath (big cat). Thanks goes to madaise for this cool photo.

The last birdbath photo I found that I liked was this kind of hidden garden basic birdbath. The birdbath itself is very simple. It is the setting that makes it stick out to me. I have to believe that sitting in this area with a cool glass of lemonade would nearly put me to sleep it looks so sirene. A special thanks to hoyasmeg for this birdbath picture.

While creating a bird sanctuary like the bird bath areas pictured above offers a great way to de-stress, there is a practical benefit as well. Adding an area like these will definitely add to the resale value of your house. Potential buyers will surely fall in love with your sanctuary should you ever sell your house.

De-Stress With a Bird Bath in Your Yard is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

There is something about a vegetable garden that is good for the soul. At the end of a long day at work there is something therapeutic about going into the garden and tending the plants. All the stress just seems to melt away as you are pulling weeds and watering. Besides, food that you have grown yourself just seems to taste better than food you purchase at the grocery store. Plus growing your own vegetable is an excellent way to cut expenses.

The problem though… what are you supposed to do if you live in an apartment complex and don’t have a yard where you can plant your garden or a house with limited yard space? The lack of land does not have to mean that you need to give up your vegetable garden; it just means that you have to turn your house or apartment patio space into your gardening space.

There are several things that you can do to makes sure that your patio vegetable garden is a success.

Don’t try to start you vegetable garden from seeds on your patio. Either go to your local nursery and purchase plants that are already well started or you can start your own plants inside your apartment with the help of a growing light. The best way to start your patio garden is with plants that are at least four inches tall.

When you are setting up your patio garden make sure that you are using containers that are going to be large enough to accommodate the plant when it reaches its full size. Although it is possible to re-pot growing plants this puts a great deal of stress on the plant. Stressed plants seldom produce the best vegetables.

Before you fill your planting pots with soil, you should cover the bottom of the pot with a thin layer of rocks. Not only will the rocks prevent any soil from falling out of the pot through the drainage holes every time you pick up the pot, the rocks will also make it possible for the soil to drain properly.

Mix compost in with your potting soil. The compost will provide your plants with the nutrients it needs while it grows. Using compost means that you won’t have to use commercially made fertilizers.

Before you move your young vegetable plants to their new containers, you should water them. Allow them to sit for a few hours until the soil has had a chance to drain before you transplant them.

When you are arranging your pots on your patio make sure that you provide your tomatoes, cucumbers and any other vegetables that have vines with trellises or cages for support.

The time spent caring for your patio garden will be rewarding both spiritually and physically. Fresh vegetables grown with no pesticides will offer great taste and excellent nutrition. Plant, grow, eat, enjoy!

The patio garden photo in this post is from alburn.binkley’s photostream.

Starting a Vegetable Garden on Your Patio is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling