Summer is here! If you like hosting backyard barbecues, pool parties, cocktails on the back patio, or generally entertaining family and friends outdoors, you’re probably thinking about giving your exteriors a good spruce.

The process of elevating your outdoor spaces, landscaping, and hardscaping isn’t as daunting as it may seem—with just a few simple steps you’ll be well on your way to a beautiful outdoor space that you can enjoy all summer long.

1.  A Good Scrub Goes a Long Way!

“Don’t underestimate the power of a good cleaning,” said Rebecca Mahanes with LandTech, a landscaping and pool contractor serving Central Virginia.

If your hardscape is looking a little dingy from red clay stains (thanks, Virginia!), moss, or mildew buildup, you should start your spruce with a power washing. And you don’t need to spend a lot of money renting a high-powered gas power washer, either.

“Hardscape power washing tools are available at most garden centers and department stores, and they do the job just fine,” Mahanes said. “You can use the same tool to give your wood surfaces, like porches and decks, a good thorough cleaning as well.”

2.  Get Down to the Details

The next step is to address the little things that can make a big difference. If you have a patio or walkway made of stone pavers, it’s time to refill the joints with polymeric sand and make sure your edging is firmly in place so those stones don’t begin to slide and spread. This will help prevent weed growth between the pavers, and make your stonework look fresh. If you have cracked or broken mortar in your hardscaping, remove and replace it. You can DIY this project, or call a mason to come and help you out.

3.  Deck the…Deck!

After a long, damp winter, wooden decks and porches can begin to look weathered and splintery, even if they are structurally sound. Touch up those spots where the paint or stain has faded or chipped. For the deck boards, there are special products available at home and garden centers for making wood surfaces look good as new—or better! They’re a little thicker than paint, and fill in the cracks between the wood grain, smoothing over any rough areas and creating an improved walking surface. 

“When it dries, it can even be power washed for easy future cleaning!” said Mahanes. 

4.  A Bright, Fresh Look

You may consider replacing your patio furnishings for a quick but impactful splash of color. Check out the new seasonal options for pillows, cushions, umbrellas, and outdoor throw rugs. There are plenty of fun colors and patterns to choose from that are sure to be instantly eye-catching. 

Looking for something a little bigger? Think about adding a fire pit! You can build your own or purchase ready-to-go backyard fire pits and fireplaces of all sizes and shapes.

5.  Perfect Plantings

Simply adding a few patio pots with brightly colored annuals can really liven up an outdoor space. If you’re looking to take it a step farther, new edge plantings like shrubs and flower beds can really add variety, color, and elegance to your landscape. 

Looking for plants that the deer won’t eat? 

“For shrubs, plant boxwoods,” Mahanes said. “For deer-resistant perennials, plant daffodils, iris, peonies, hellebores, lavender, foxgloves, ferns, and heuchera, to name a few.”

It’s worth noting that for some of these, the deer don’t eat them because they are toxic, so do a little research before planting if you have young kids or pets.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to refresh your hardscape this season. Any one of these little improvements can make for a great outdoor project and go a long way in sprucing up your backyard. So fire up the grill, get the marshmallow sticks ready, call the neighbors, and let the good times roll!  

Earning a Best of Lynchburg award should be celebrated, and earning this recognition year after year earns a business a spot in the Hall of Fame. 

To place in our Best of Lynchburg Hall of Fame, a business, person, or place needs to have won a gold level award in a particular category for the majority of the last eight years—since VistaGraphics first launched the contest. 

Flip through to see who is the best of the best in the region! 

(Voting for the 2024 Best Of Lynchburg Awards begins July 27. Look for those winners in the January/February issue of Lynchburg Living!)

No Cook Meals for Hot Summer Days

This selection of salads showcases the splendor of summer fruits: peaches, strawberries, and watermelon! Pair with something off the grill or serve as the main event.

First up is a fresh peach caprese salad. Juicy peaches, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves come together in a delightful twist on the classic Italian favorite. Drizzled with tangy balsamic glaze, this salad strikes a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Next on the menu is a strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed vinaigrette. Crisp romaine lettuce and baby spinach create the perfect bed for summer-sweet strawberries, complemented by the delightful crunch of almonds and zesty dressing. This vibrant combination is an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats.

Lastly, the watermelon mint salad is a true celebration of summer’s bounty. The juicy sweetness of watermelon combines perfectly with fresh mint leaves, all enhanced by a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze. Each bite is a mini-vacation for your taste buds!

Peach Caprese Salad 

Serves four as a side

INGREDIENTS 
2 fresh, ripe peaches 

3 local, heirloom tomatoes 

8 oz fresh mozzarella

3 sprigs of basil

2 tbsp balsamic glaze
(see separate recipe below)

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 
Slice the mozzarella thinly and cut the tomatoes into nice, thick slices. Quarter the peaches and then quarter each quarter. On a serving plate or platter, alternate the cheese, tomatoes, and peaches. Tear 6-8 basil leaves and spread them throughout. Drizzle with a few drops of good quality olive oil for richness, and generously drizzle with the balsamic glaze for tangy sweetness. Finish with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing 

Serves four as a side

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/3 cup sugar

3 tbsp pickled red onion (see separate recipe)

1 tbsp poppy seeds (toasted)

1/2 cup sliced almonds (toasted)

1/4 cup avocado oil

1 lb. strawberries, hulled and quartered

1 head of romaine lettuce, torn into bite
sized pieces

4 cups baby spinach

Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Lightly toast the poppy seeds in a dry skillet, and then toast the sliced almonds. In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, avocado oil, and poppy seeds, whisking to combine. Tear the romaine lettuce into a large bowl, add the spinach and strawberries, and toss carefully with the dressing. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle the toasted almond slices  and pickled onions on top.

Watermelon Mint Salad 

Serves four as a side

INGREDIENTS
4 cups of cubed, seedless watermelon
(bite-size cubes)

8-10 leaves of fresh mint, torn into
small pieces

Parmesan cheese for shaving

2-3 tbsp balsamic glaze (see separate recipe on page 136)

INSTRUCTIONS
Make sure you find a ripe, seedless watermelon since it’s the star of this salad. Sprinkle the torn mint leaves over the watermelon. Using a potato peeler, shave parmesan cheese in big, thin slices over the salad. Finish off with a nice, big drizzle of the balsamic glaze right before serving.  

Explore Wilmington’s River District and Island Beaches

Dichotomies converge in a North Carolinian port city. On a Saturday night, the downtown streets are electric with music; the sound of glasses clinking through open air restaurants. On Sunday morning, briny ocean air mingles with nutty coffee aromas; streets bare but for the early morning jogger or a local sleepily making their way to church. Historic streets with tightly bricked crosswalks give way to boardwalks—boats bobbing next to dockside dives. One moment, you’re weaving in and out of busy shops and breweries, the sound of friends making weekend plans and laughter reverberating through the street. The next, you find yourself outside of a neighborhood restaurant with only the twinkling of porch windchimes to break up the silence.

In Wilmington, North Carolina, it’s those contrasts that make the coastal town a landmark.

Known as the gateway to the Cape Fear Coast, Wilmington proudly guards the foreboding shoals of the Cape Fear River and the strong surf of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Once the battle grounds of famed “Gentleman Pirate” Stede Bonnet, Wilmington’s story is one steeped in folklore and history—and its present story is equally spellbinding.

The River District

Downtown Wilmington, more aptly referred to as The River District, is a vibrant, walkable area that’s teeming with life and history. An area almost entirely surrounded by water—the Cape Fear River to its South and West and a trio of beaches marking the entrance to the Atlantic Ocean to its East—the unfamiliar may expect a typical beach town when planning a trip to Wilmington. 

What they will find, however, is anything but.

Downtown Wilmington is, first and foremost, an area steeped in its history. From the pre-colonial era when naval stores were transported down-river to Wilmington’s occupation during the Revolutionary War through to North Carolina’s involvement in WWII, Wilmington’s walkways and shorelines paint a complex story. In fact, the 230 blocks of the National Register Historic District make it one of the largest historic districts in the South—rivaling that of larger and more well-known Charleston and Savannah.

As you walk the shoreline of the riverwalk and glance toward the Cape Fear River, you’ll see the WWII Battleship NORTH CAROLINA looming amongst the shoals. Completely refurbished and available for self-guided tours, the battleship serves as a memorial for the 11,000 North Carolinians who fought and died during the war. And, as the most highly decorated American battleship from the war for its participation in every major naval offense in the Pacific Theater of Operations, it also stands as a testament to the area’s grit and pride.

Never a town to rest on its laurels, Wilmington knows it’s more than just its history. With its past as its bedrock, Wilmington has emerged into the 21st century full of fervor. The downtown architecture a mix of French colonial and classical revival influences, modern breweries, bars, and restaurants interplay between past and present. Breweries like New Anthem Brewery occupy industrial spaces while Front Street Brewery—Wilmington’s oldest brewery—occupies an 1800’s-era building that was once a dry goods store. Each business in the downtown footprint artfully maneuvers the narrow, historic spaces while servicing the unending foot traffic. There’s no better example of that than The Basics, a Front Street institution that weaves from open air to indoor to second floor dining with ease. Known for its brunch, but an expert in every meal, The Basics exudes Wilmington charm with its exposed brick walls, restored wood floors, and cozy Southern fare.

The blend of past and present extends beyond the riverfront and into the residential areas of Wilmington. The historic vestige still present, French colonial homes and their Spanish Moss-draped trees part ways for tiny glimmers of commerce to shine through. One such shining beacon is Savorez, a Latin restaurant run by chef, owner, and Wilmington native Sam Cahoon. Their inventive salsas and flaky empanadas are a bright spot on a historic street corner.

Island Beaches

Just across the eastern watershed are Wilmington’s three island beaches—Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach—each with their own distinct personalities and amenities. 

Carolina Beach, a quintessential beach town with a scenic beachside boardwalk and miles of pristine beach, is known for its year-round incredible weather and down-to-earth atmosphere. The boardwalk is teeming with amusement, from classic arcade games to a nostalgia-inducing carousel and ferris wheel. Families and friends hop from game to game while the warm, doughy smells of Britt’s Donuts—a Carolina Beach institution since 1939—mix with the salty ocean brine in an intoxicating scent medley.

On Kure Beach, nature has its way. The Fort Fisher State Recreation Area gives beachgoers miles of unspoiled beaches, offering ample opportunity to look for shells, sea urchins, and starfish, or simply pause for a moment or two and appreciate the natural beauty. The Basin Trail, a 2.2 out and back through pristine marshland, brims with wildlife, making for an idyllic afternoon stroll. And the North Carolina Aquarium offers abundant options to explore native wildlife no matter the weather.

And Wrightsville Beach, named one of the world’s best surf towns, offers world-class watersports and incredible beach experiences. Tucked along Wrightsville Beach’s shoreline are quaint beachside resorts and shops that exude the local charm. The Blockade Runner, a 60-year-old icon, emerges from the sand in calming colors of teal and pink to give guests uninterrupted coastal views, lush beachside gardens, and canopied dining. And The Workshop—a passion project owned by local SCUBA divers and coffee lovers—blends artisan craft and specialty coffee in an experience as unique as Wrightsville Beach itself.

The polarities of Wilmington and its island beaches only make its charm all the more irresistible. Its historic district and unique coastlines tell a story of ease, summer fun, and an unforgettable experience exploring all that this distinctive town has to offer.