Whether your buffalo roam on a sprawling garden or a miniscule enclosed slab of concrete, it’s likely you’re ready to replant and restock for spring/summer fun. My situation happens to be closer to the latter, but the $100 budget I allotted for back patio renovations should work for outdoor areas of all sizes. The secret? Big Lots! A quick visit to their website (simple registration required) in search of the essentials—grilling accessories, pots and planters—turned up a $5 grilling basket (perfect for fish, meats, veggies, tofu) a grill mitt for $2, brush for $2.50 and a three piece walnut handled tool set (fork, tongs, spatula) for $8. Add in 18″ window box planters—great for lining concrete walls; $3 each—and basic planters (from $.90 to $6 each) or a simple decorative wall basket ($12 and good for spray painting) and you should be coming in at around $60, depending on sizes and quantities. That leaves $40 for seeds, soil and the occasional flower or two—maybe even a bottle of Jose Cuervo. Have a bit more scratch to burn? Big Lots! also lists a number of patio furniture sets for sale—my favorite, the simple Portland Collection five piece set with four chairs, a table and an umbrella, runs $200—as well as solar garden lights ($12 for a four pack), citronella votive candles (12 pack for $3)—even a simple, cute, red charcoal grill and cart for $49. Stay away from the gazebos and decorative wooden bridges and no one will ever guess your backyard baubles once split shelves with applique placemats and discount boxes of Hamburger Helper.

Tags: big lots, Buy Curious, Commerce, Long Beach