Summer-Ready Backyard Checklist: 15 Things to Do Before LA's Hot Season

Your Pre-Summer Backyard Checklist

Every spring, I get calls from homeowners panicking because Memorial Day is two weeks away and their pool is green, the patio has cracks, and the irrigation hasn't worked since October. Don't be that person. Here's my 15-point checklist that covers everything—do it in April and you'll be relaxed all summer.

Pool & Water Features (1-5)

1. Full Chemical Reset

Test everything: chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium, CYA (cyanuric acid), and phosphates. After a mild winter, your chemistry may have drifted. A comprehensive test at Leslie's or your pool supply store is usually free.

2. Filter Deep Clean or Replace

If you didn't clean the filter in fall, do it now. Cartridge filters over 2 years old should be replaced ($150-$300). DE filters need a full breakdown. Sand filters should be backwashed thoroughly.

3. Inspect Pool Surface

Look for cracks, discoloration, or rough spots in the plaster. Small issues caught early cost $200-$500 to repair. Left alone, they become $8,000-$15,000 replaster jobs.

4. Test Equipment

Run every piece of equipment: pump, heater, cleaner, salt cell (if saltwater), automation controls, lights. Better to find a dead motor in April than on the Fourth of July.

5. Water Feature Check

Turn on all spillways, bubblers, and fountains. Check for clogs, leaks, or uneven flow. Mineral buildup from winter can block small orifices.

Landscape & Irrigation (6-10)

6. Irrigation System Audit

Run every zone manually. Check for broken heads, clogged drippers, and dry spots. Replace damaged components before summer heat stresses plants. A full audit costs $100-$250 from a landscape company.

7. Mulch Refresh

Apply 2-3 inches of fresh mulch to all planted areas. Mulch retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps root zones cool. Budget $200-$500 for a typical LA yard.

8. Tree and Shrub Pruning

Spring is the ideal time to prune most LA landscape plants. Clear dead growth, shape hedges, and thin canopies for air circulation. Don't prune tropicals like Bird of Paradise until after they flower.

9. Fertilize

Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer to turf, shrubs, and container plants. LA soils are often nutrient-depleted, and a spring feeding sets plants up for summer vigor.

10. Pest Check

Inspect for aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and gophers. Early treatment prevents summer infestations. Neem oil or insecticidal soap handles most LA garden pests.

Hardscape & Structure (11-15)

11. Paver and Deck Inspection

Walk every surface. Look for shifted pavers, cracked concrete, or loose deck boards. Tripping hazards should be fixed immediately—both for safety and liability.

12. Clean and Seal

Pressure wash pavers, concrete, and stone surfaces. Reseal travertine and natural stone every 2-3 years. Spring cleaning before summer entertaining makes a huge visual difference.

13. Pergola and Shade Check

Inspect pergola connections, shade sails for tears, and umbrella mechanisms. LA sun degrades fabric and hardware. Replace worn shade elements before they fail during a party.

14. Outdoor Kitchen Prep

Deep clean the grill, check gas connections, test the refrigerator, and run water through the sink. Spiders love to nest in gas burner ports during winter.

15. Lighting Check

Test every light—pool, landscape, path, and under-counter. Replace burned-out LEDs and clean lens covers. Dirty lenses can reduce light output by 30-50%.

Elan's spring checklist saved us from a pump failure and a cracked pool tile we never noticed. Caught everything before summer. — Jeffrey & Dana S.