Enjoying the great outdoors is one of the reasons people want to keep a backyard garden. Sometimes when people get busy, keeping up with the backyard gets left behind a bit, and before you know it, your yard can begin to look run-down, overgrown, or in some cases, like a junkyard. Here are some tips for getting rid of the trash and waste in your yard so you can work on turning it into a space you love.

Use It

Got an old set of patio furniture that’s faded and covered in mildew? Rather than tossing it and buying a new set, why not clean it up and see if you can put it to good use? Plastic furniture can often be made to look new with a simple power-wash and some scrubbing. Rather than finding a place to recycle old tires, think about stacking them on their sides to use as planters.

Recycle

If you have items that are too worn or damaged to be used, find out how they can be recycled. Some scrap metal companies will come and pick up old swing sets, dead lawnmowers, or other large items that they can melt down. Many items that you would consider taking to the landfill can also be handled better by a recycling center.

Compost

Dead plants, piles of leaves, and grass clippings sometimes create an unsightly mess. If your community doesn’t have a yard waste removal service and it keeps piling up, consider composting. Composting is a great way to get rid of both yard waste and kitchen scraps and can even put them to good use as a fertilizer for your garden.

Rubbish Removal Service

If all else fails and you have large and bulky items, or if you’ve got more junk than you know what to do with, consider calling a rubbish removal service. It might cost a fee but depending on how much time you would need to spend to try and haul it all out by yourself, it might be worth it. They can usually come in and clear out an entire weekend’s worth of work in just a few hours.

Sell It

Maybe you’ve got an old car sitting under a tarp in your yard that you’ve been meaning to fix up and restore. Why not consider selling unused items that might still have value. If the old canoe has been sitting upside-down near your back fence for longer than you can remember, maybe you aren’t really going to use it again. Giving someone a good deal on an item that you no longer have a use for can be a great way to get rid of your stuff—and they’re usually willing to do the work to get it off your hands.

Donate

If you have old outdoor items like bicycles or your children’s old play equipment, consider donating them to a charity service in your area. You may even find a youth shelter or church community that has a use for used items that are just taking up space you’d like to turn into a garden.

Keep Up with Your Space

One of the best ways to prevent a situation where you will need to deal with a large amount of waste all at once would be to just keep up with it in the first place. Once you’ve turned your garden into a place that you can enjoy, spending an hour or two a week cleaning and maintaining the space, and dealing with large projects immediately can keep the mess contained before it starts.

Deciding to clear your space of waste is the first step to turning your backyard into the oasis of calm and relaxation that you’re hoping for. Follow these tips to get it cleaned out so you can start building the garden you’ve always dreamed of.

Melanie Saunders is a blogger and content manager at 1300 Rubbish– experts in the field of rubbish and junk removal. Personally, a huge fan of sustainability and green living.