Here in Medicine Hat, we know how quickly the warm evenings can disappear. One minute you’re spending every evening outside, and the next thing you know the kids are back in school and tree lined streets turn a golden yellow.

So before we start thinking about fall, here’s how you can make the most of the last few weeks of summer in your own backyard. Sometimes it’s the simple things that make summer at home feel the best.

Here are a few easy ways to enjoy your backyard while summer is still here.

Have Dinner Outside

One of the easiest ways to make an ordinary evening feel a little more special is to take dinner outdoors.

Fire up the barbecue, bring your favourite meal outside, and enjoy it on the patio or deck. It doesn’t have to be a big backyard dinner party either. Even a weeknight meal with the family feels different when you’re eating outside.

If you do want to have people over, keep it simple. Ask everyone to bring something, put some drinks on ice, and let the evening take care of itself.

We’re totally fans of the backyard picnic too - no fancy table setting required.

Make the Fire Pit the Place to Be

There’s something about sitting around a fire that makes people want to stay a little longer.

As the evenings start to cool down, bring out some blankets, grab a few snacks, and get the fire going. It’s a great way to spend time with friends, have a family evening, or simply enjoy a quiet night at home. If you have kids, make it a s’mores night. If you’re having friends over, keep the drinks and snacks nearby.

Not the proud owner of a fire pit? Kin Coulee is an excellent spot to sit around the fire! Free, close access to public washrooms and playground, and if you want to bring adult drinks you’re now able to until 9pm. Other public fire spots - Strathcona Park and Echo Dale.

Turn Your Patio Into a Cozy Hangout

You don’t need a designer outdoor space to make your backyard comfortable.

Take a look at the space you already have. Could you add a couple of cushions, a few plants, some outdoor lighting, or a comfortable chair? Even something as simple as cleaning and rearranging your patio furniture can make the space feel new again.

Think about how you like to spend your evenings and set up your backyard around that. If you love entertaining, create a space where people can gather. If you prefer quiet evenings, make yourself a comfortable little corner to read, enjoy your coffee, or simply sit outside.

Enjoy What’s Growing in Your Garden

If you planted a garden this year, now is the time to enjoy it.

Pick those tomatoes, herbs, fruits, and flowers and actually use them. Add fresh herbs to dinner, make a salad from what you’ve grown, or bring a few flowers inside.

And if you have more produce than you know what to do with, share it. A little basket of fresh garden pickings left on a neighbour’s doorstep is a pretty nice way to brighten someone’s day.

Invite People Over Just Because

You don’t need a birthday, holiday, or special occasion to have people over.

Pick an evening and invite a few friends or neighbours over for a casual backyard get-together.

It could be a barbecue, ice cream night, backyard games, or just drinks and snacks on the patio. Keep it easy and don’t worry about making everything perfect.

Some of the best summer memories happen when there isn’t much of a plan.

Add Some Warm Evening Lighting

If you’re spending more time outside after sunset, a little lighting can make a big difference.

String lights, lanterns, solar lights, and candles can make your patio or deck feel much more inviting in the evening.

You don’t have to go overboard. A few lights around your seating area or along a walkway may be all you need.

It’s one of those small changes that can make you want to stay outside just a little longer.

Create a Space to Slow Down

Your backyard doesn’t always have to be about entertaining.

Maybe you need a spot where you can enjoy your morning coffee before the day gets busy. Maybe it’s a comfortable chair where you can read a book, or a quiet corner where you can sit at the end of the day.

Set up a space that’s just for you.

Put your phone down for a little while, grab your favourite drink, and enjoy the fact that you’re home.

Give Your Backyard a Quick Refresh

If your outdoor space isn’t sparking joy, you don’t have to take on a huge project.

Pick one or two small things to freshen it up before summer ends:

Add a few new plants or flowers
Give the patio or deck a good cleaning
Rearrange the outdoor furniture
Replace worn-out cushions
Add some outdoor lighting
Set up a dedicated dining area
Add a little privacy with plants or a screen
Give your barbecue area a good tidy-up

Sometimes a small change is all it takes to make you enjoy the space again.

Enjoy the Last Stretch of Summer

Summer in Medicine Hat has a way of going by quickly, so make the most of these last few weeks.

You don’t need a big project or a perfectly styled backyard. You just need a reason to spend a little more time outside.

So tonight, skip the dinner table and eat on the patio. Invite a friend over. Start a fire. Sit outside and watch the evening settle in.

There’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy.

Every Last Drop of Summer